An astronaut in a space suit has a total mass of 143.5 kg and is standing on a scale that reads in newtons inside an elevator.If the elevator accelerates upward at the rate of 1.8 m/s²,what does the scale read? A)703.2 N B)1,406.3 N C)882.3 N D)1,664.6 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force acting on the astronaut can be found using Newton's second law, F = ma. 
The mass of the astronaut is 143.5 kg, and the acceleration of the elevator is 1.8 m/s^2. 
So, the force acting on the astronaut is: 
F = ma = (143.5 kg)(1.8 m/s^2) = 258.3 N

Now, since the astronaut is standing on a scale, the scale will also measure this force. 
Therefore, the reading on the scale will be: 
reading = 143.5 kg × 9.81 m/s^2 + 258.3 N = 1664.6 N 
So, the answer is (D) 1,664.6 N

An Astronaut in a Space Suit Has a Total Mass