A fat cat,ever conscious of its weight,walks into an elevator and steps on a scale.The elevator begins to accelerate downward.While the elevator is accelerating,the scale reads
A)more than when the elevator is stationary.
B)more than if the elevator were accelerating upward.
C)less than when the elevator is stationary.
D)a negative value.
E)Insufficient information is given to answer correctly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the elevator is accelerating downward, the scale reads less weight than when the elevator is stationary because the force of gravity acting on the cat is partially opposed by the downward acceleration of the elevator. Therefore, the apparent weight of the cat is reduced. If the elevator were accelerating upward, the scale would read more weight than when the elevator is stationary because the force of gravity would be added to the upward acceleration of the elevator, making the apparent weight of the cat greater.

A Fat Cat,ever Conscious of Its Weight,walks into an Elevator