A woman who weighs 700 N steps onto a scale that is in an elevator. The elevator begins to accelerate. The woman now weighs 500 N (according to the scale). The acceleration of the elevator is
A) 2.8 m/s $2$ downward.
B) 2.8 m/s $2$ upward.
C) 4.2 m/s $2$ upward.
D) 4.2 m/s $2$ downward.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The woman's apparent weight decreases, indicating the elevator accelerates downward. The difference in force (200 N) divided by her mass (700 N / 9.8 m/s$^2$) gives the acceleration magnitude, which is 2.8 m/s$^2$ downward.

A Woman Who Weighs 700 N Steps onto a Scale 222

A Woman Who Weighs 700 N Steps onto a Scale $2$