What is the Apparent Weight of a Passenger in Free Fall?

[sona1177]

Homework Statement

A box with a 75 kg passenger inside is launched straight up into the air by a Giant rubberband. After the box has left the rubberband but is still moving upward,

A) what is the passenger's true weight? This was fine it was just w=mg which is 75 * 9.8=735 N

B) what is the passenger's APPARENT weight? I'm thinking the object is in free fall so since the apparent weight equation comes from the magnitude of the contact force (the normal force from the box, which is equal to w + a) that supports the guy then wapparent=w + ay=mg + may=m(g + ay). Since ay=-g for free fall then w apparent = 9.8-9.8=0! So he would feel "weightless"?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[graphene]

Your approach is correct. He would feel weightless.

 

[sona1177]

Your approach is correct. He would feel weightless.

Great! Thanks!