@ould the elevator be moving up or down?

  • Thread starter elizabethR
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Elevator
In summary, the conversation discusses a student noticing a difference in the scale reading while standing on a scale in an elevator. The student believes that the elevator is moving down based on the increase in weight, but the expert explains that the elevator must be accelerating up for the scale reading to change. This indicates that the elevator is actually moving up.
  • #1
elizabethR
8
0
elevator ??

A 615 N student standing on a scale in an elevator notices that the scale reads 645 N. would the elevator be moving up or down?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
What do you think is the answer (and why)?
 
  • #3
well i think that he would be moving down because the scale says he got heavier. i think that the force pushing down would make him seem heavier
 
  • #4
Double post
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Not so. The elevator must either be accelerating up or down for his scale to show a different reading. The reading is nothing but the force the scale exerts on the person to keep him in place with respect to the elevator. Let's assume that the elevator is accelaratig down, then you can easily show from a free body diagram that the scale reading must decrease. Therefore he is accelerating up.
 

FAQ: @ould the elevator be moving up or down?

Is it possible for the elevator to be moving up and down at the same time?

No, it is not possible for an elevator to move up and down simultaneously. The elevator can only move in one direction at a time.

What causes an elevator to move up or down?

An elevator is controlled by a motor that is connected to a pulley system. When the motor rotates in one direction, the elevator moves up, and when it rotates in the opposite direction, the elevator moves down.

How does the elevator know which floor to stop at?

The elevator is equipped with sensors that detect the position of the elevator car in relation to the floors. When the elevator reaches the designated floor, the sensors trigger the elevator to stop at that floor.

Can the speed of an elevator be changed?

Yes, the speed of an elevator can be adjusted by changing the speed of the motor. However, it is important to maintain a safe and comfortable speed for passengers.

What happens if the elevator loses power while moving?

If the elevator loses power while moving, it will automatically come to a stop. Most elevators are equipped with emergency power systems that will activate in the event of a power outage, allowing passengers to safely exit the elevator.

Similar threads

Work done in elevator problem — is it positive or negative?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Elevator Motion and Bathroom Scale Readings
Replies
2
Views
1K
Calculating Elevator Acceleration: Solve for F=ma
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculate elevator acceleration using mass
Replies
9
Views
4K
Distance moved in two different inertial frames
Replies
11
Views
1K
Elevator Problem: Determining Scale Reading for a Moving Object
Replies
5
Views
1K
When will the bolt pass the elevator floor?
Replies
18
Views
4K
What is the difference between apparent weight and true weight in elevators?
Replies
12
Views
3K
Mechanics: Elevator Accelerating Downward
Replies
10
Views
3K
Forces, elevator, acceleration -- I have the answer, just explain it....
Replies
2
Views
11K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top