"Scale in Elevator: Should Student Worry?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem regarding a person standing on a scale in an elevator. If the scale reads zero, it indicates that the person is in free fall, experiencing no normal force acting on them. This scenario occurs when the elevator is in free fall due to gravity, leading to the conclusion that the student should indeed worry about their safety in this situation.

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  • Investigate safety measures in elevators and their engineering principles
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Homework Statement



A person stands on an scale in an elevator.

If the scale reads zero, should the student worry? Explain.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think the student would be in free fall and he should worry. The only force acting on the elevator would be gravity and the normal force and weight would be 0.

Right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yup.
 
gneill said:
Yup.

Thank you.
 

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