A person who normally weighs 700 N is riding in a rather swift elevator that is moving at a constant speed of 9.8 m/s. If this person is standing on a bathroom scale inside the elevator, what
Would the scale read?
A) 700 N
B) more than 700 N
C) less than 700 N
D) It could be more or less than 700 N, depending on whether the elevator is going up or down.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the elevator moves at a constant speed, there is no acceleration, so the person's weight appears the same as it would if they were standing still. The scale reads the normal force, which equals the gravitational force (weight) in this scenario.

A Person Who Normally Weighs 700 N Is Riding in a Rather