How to Calculate Net Force on Elevator Moving Downward with Upward Acceleration?

[bling-bling]

Homework Statement

A weighs 600 N on an elevator when it is stationary. Each elevator accelerates according to the specified arrow that is drawn next to it. In all cases where the elevator is moving, it is moving downward.
Find net force, if the elevator is accelerating 2.0 m/s/s upward, even though the elevator is moving downward. Use g = 9.8 m/s/s

Homework Equations

w = mg
F = ma

The Attempt at a Solution

Well this is what i did: F = ma
Fn - mg = ma
Fn = ma + mg
Fn = 61.2(2) + 61.2(9.8)
Fn = 722.4 N
Is that right?

 

[sandy.bridge]

That question seems contradictory. It's accelerating upward, even though it's moving downward? That isn't what Newton's Laws state.

 

[bling-bling]

well the elevator is moving downward, and if the acceleration is upward, doesn't that mean that the elevator is slowing down?

 

[sandy.bridge]

My apologies, you're right. I haven't worked dynamics in a while. Regardless, your work looks good.

 

[bling-bling]

So our scale weight is increasing as we're going down? Shouldnt it be decreasing? Because my teacher said, that the formula should be Fn = ma + -mg