A woman stands on a bathroom scale in an elevator that is not moving. The scale reads 500 N. The elevator then moves downward at a constant velocity of 5 m/s. What does the scale read while the elevator descends with constant velocity?
A)100 N
B)250 N
C)500 N
D)600 N
E)750 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the elevator is descending with constant velocity (i.e., at a constant rate), the reading on the scale remains the same as before (500 N). This is because there is no net force acting on the woman, as the force of gravity pulling her downward is balanced by the normal force from the scale pushing her upward.

A Woman Stands on a Bathroom Scale in an Elevator