A man weighs 80 kg. He stands on a weighing scale in a lift which is moving upwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m/s2. What would be the reading on the scale ? (g = 10 m/s2)
- zero
- 400 N
- 800 N
- 1200 N
Answer
(4) 1200 N
Solution
Forces on the man: weight mg downward, normal reaction R (scale reading) upward.
Lift accelerates upwards ⇒ R - mg = ma
⇒ R = m(g + a)
= 80 (10 + 5)
= 1200 N
Answer: (4)