How Does Elevator Acceleration Affect Scale Readings in Newtons?

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A 165-lb person is standing on a scale in an elevator. What is the reading on the scale in Newtons if the elevator is ?

a) accerlating upward at 2.0m/s?
b) accerlating downward at 2.0m/s ?


a= 11.8 m/s *(165*0.454)= 884N

b= 7.8m/s *(165*.454)= 584N
 
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Your unit of accn is wrong. What have you done exactly to find the values you have given?

What is the normal reaction between the floor and the man? The only thing we know is that his net accn upward or downward. His weight is always acting downward.