A student in an elevator is checking Newton's laws using a scale. The elevator moves downward with decreasing speed. The scale is showing a reading larger than the student's actual weight.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scale is showing a reading larger than the student's actual weight because the elevator is moving downward with decreasing speed. This means that the elevator is applying a force on the student in the upward direction, which is counteracting the force of gravity. The scale is measuring the net force acting on the student, which is the sum of the force of gravity and the force applied by the elevator. Since the force applied by the elevator is in the upward direction, the net force acting on the student is greater than the force of gravity, which is why the scale is showing a reading larger than the student's actual weight.

A Student in an Elevator Is Checking Newton's Laws Using