# Fun elevator problem, find accel

1. Jun 15, 2005

### bigman8424

This is a really fun probl, i've been trying to get for a while:
A 600 N man stands on a bathroom scale on elevator. After, it starts moving the scale reads 900 N.
Find Acceleration (magnitude/direction)
EF = ma
weight - T = ma
wt - T = ma
(600 N)(9.8 m/sec2) - T = ma
i noticed i didn't have accleration,
Ft - meg = meae = -mea

900-600/900+600 = (1/5)g(9.8)
i got 1.96 m/sec2

does this seem right?

2. Jun 15, 2005

### bross7

First thing you see is that the man's mass goes from 600 to 900N. Therefore the elevator is accelerating upward.

Taking the case where the elevator is stationary.

F = mg
600 = m(9.8)
m = 61.2kg This is the mass of the man.

Where you are getting into some troubles is in setting up the exact situation.

Think about what you know and what you don't.

The first case you have is that the man's weight is 600N when the elevator isn't moving. The second thing you know is that when the elevator is moving, his weight increases to 900N. So you need to set up an equation to determine this.

3. Jun 15, 2005

### theCandyman

I have not thought this through completely, but if the final scale reads 1.5 times greater, can you just assume that he is expirencing an acceleration 1.5 times greater and subtract $$a_g$$ from that number to find the elevator's acceleration?

4. Jun 16, 2005

### LENIN

Yes Candyman that is corect.

5. Jun 16, 2005

### Dr.Brain

Actually what the wighing machine reads is the Normal force on the person standing on it.

When the lift was stationary , it must be reading 600 N . because N=Mg=600 N
But as per the problem when the lift starts accelerating , The reading increases, this means than N should increase , therefore a force has emerged in direction of Mg , this is possible when the lift accelerates upwards with "acceleration 'a' , then the pseudo force 'ma' adds to Mg.

Therefore final equation becomes:

Mg + Ma = 800

6. Jun 16, 2005

### bigman8424

Oh i see, if the scale read zero, then he's free falling. ?

7. Jun 16, 2005

### Dr.Brain

yep, then he must be falling down with acceleration 'g'!

B.J