Forces in Elevators: Net Force 0 but No Weightlessness

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the forces experienced in elevators and the concept of weightlessness. When an elevator moves at a constant upward velocity, the net force is zero, yet individuals still feel their weight due to the gravitational force acting on them. This contrasts with the experience of weightlessness in a space shuttle, where equal thrust from thrusters results in a state of free fall. The conversation highlights the distinction between feeling acceleration in different contexts, such as gravity versus mechanical forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational forces
  • Familiarity with concepts of acceleration and net force
  • Awareness of inertial and non-inertial reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of free fall and its implications in physics
  • Study Newton's laws of motion in detail
  • Explore the differences between inertial and non-inertial frames of reference
  • Investigate the effects of various forces, including gravitational, electrical, and magnetic forces
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of forces and motion in different environments, particularly in relation to elevators and space travel.

Matix Cubix
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Hi, I've been thinking about the forces in elevators where a gravitational field exisits, in the case where the elevator moves at a constant upward velocity, which means that there is an equal force to the total weight, meaning that the net force is 0, the thing that strikes me is that I still fell my weigth, and I'm not in a state of weightlessness, on the other hand, if I were in space on a space shuttle and I started the front and rear thrusters so that the thrust was equal , I would still be weightless, so it can not be an analogy to the elevator. Another thing, if I was in an elevator at a constant velocity, I feel that I am being accelerated, but of course I am not: If some one could answer my question I would be quite happy.
 
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Matix Cubix said:
if I were in space on a space shuttle and I started the front and rear thrusters so that the thrust was equal , I would still be weightless, so it can not be an analogy to the elevator.
It is analogous to an elevator in free fall.



Matix Cubix said:
Another thing, if I was in an elevator at a constant velocity, I feel that I am being accelerated, but of course I am not
You are accelerated in the frame independent sense:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proper_acceleration
 
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Oh, so could I say? that the force of gravity is a different that of a force when you get pushed? becuse in some sense in the gravity I wouldn't need to feel an acceleration, to knew that I am being accelerated towards a planet, but in the other case I would necessary need to feel an acceleration to knew that I am being accelerated, there is another case.,If I was in a disc moving with an angular speed, I would feel an acceleration, but this is just like the force when I get pushed. If my assumptions are correct, what happends with the other forces, like the electrical forces or the magnetic forces? Anyways thank you for your answer.
 

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