Question regarding the elevator acceleration resultant force

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics of forces experienced by a person standing on a weighing scale in an accelerating elevator. The original poster questions why a person feels "heavier" when the elevator accelerates upwards, despite the upward resultant force acting on them.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the relationship between the upward force and the sensation of weight, expressing confusion about the concepts of resultant force and perceived weight.
  • Some participants clarify the distinction between the normal force and weight, explaining how the contact force affects the perception of weight in different scenarios.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the concepts of weight and normal force, with some providing clarifications that help address the original poster's confusion. There is an ongoing dialogue about the nature of forces in different contexts, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of understanding after two hours of contemplation, suggesting a need for further exploration of the concepts involved.

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Question regarding the "elevator" acceleration resultant force

Homework Statement



In the "elevator" case, when a man is standing on a weighing scale, and the elevator accelerate upwards, the resultant force acting on the man will be UPWARD force, and the man is feeling "HEAVIER". So here is my question. Since the resultant force acting on the man is UPWARD force, isn't the man suppose to feel "LIGHTER", since there is a UPWARD force "supporting" him. If I got the whole concept wrong, please explain to me with the correct concept, thanks in advance .

Homework Equations



none.

The Attempt at a Solution



been thinking for 2 hours and I just can't understand
 
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i don't get the question
 


The man 'feels' the contact force acting upward on him, the normal force. He does not 'feel' his own weight. If he was standing in a still elevator, he would feel the contact force acting on him, which is his weight in this case. If he jumped from a building, there would be no contact force at his feet, so even though he still has weight , he wouldn't feel any force acting on him, so that would make him feel very light, feeling like he had no weight at all, in a state of so called 'weightlessness", even though he always has weight. Don't confuse weight with normal forces.
 


PhanthomJay said:
The man 'feels' the contact force acting upward on him, the normal force. He does not 'feel' his own weight. If he was standing in a still elevator, he would feel the contact force acting on him, which is his weight in this case. If he jumped from a building, there would be no contact force at his feet, so even though he still has weight , he wouldn't feel any force acting on him, so that would make him feel very light, feeling like he had no weight at all, in a state of so called 'weightlessness", even though he always has weight. Don't confuse weight with normal forces.

Thank you very much dude! this clear things up, thank you very much :)
 

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