Passengers apparent weight on elevator when it's acceleration is negative

[korinnewade]

Homework Statement

There's a 75 kg passenger in an elevator
a. what is the passenger's apparent weight when acceleration is zero?
b. what is the passengers apparent weight when acceleration is positive?
c. what is the passengers apparent weight when acceleration is negative?

Homework Equations

w=mg
apparent weight=w*(1 + a/g)
apparent weight =w*(1 -a/g)

The Attempt at a Solution

a. w=75kg*9.8m/s=735N

b. apparent weight=735*(1 + a/g)

a=F/m I'm not sure how to find F here?

c.

 

[iRaid]

His WEIGHT is 75 kg so that's including gravity ;)

 

[PhanthomJay]

Part a is correct. You have the correct equations for parts b and c, (although by using w=mg, the equation is simplified). The problem, as written, is not looking for a numerical solution to parts b and c. For parts b and c, is the apparent weight greter than, less than , or equal to, a certain value?