Do you want to lose weight? Take the scale to the elevator and try it when the e

Question

Do you want to lose weight?
Take the scale to the elevator and try it when the elevator is going down.
In physics term: Let’s write the Newton’s equation for all the forces acting on your body:

Mg – N = Ma (1)

Mg is the gravitational force by the earth, direction: down
N is the normal force acting on you by the scale, it is the reading from the
scale, indicates how much your weight is. Direction: UP
Ma: is the force causing the acceleration, which is the combined force of Mg and N
If we standing still on the ground, not moving or on the elevator moving with a
constant velocity:

a = 0, so Mg – N = 0, N = Mg

From (1)

N = Mg – Ma

If the elevator starts to move down, a >0, N < Mg, the scale is going to show you “lose weight”.
On the other hand, you “gain weight”, when the elevator moving UP.
N = Mg + Ma

In this home project, take a scale with needle ( not the digital one) to the elevator to see the needle moving to the left (down) or to the right (up). Write it down and post in the discussion how much you lose and gain weight. Does the needle oscillate? Explain why.

Explanation / Answer

if the elevator starts to move down we feel weight lose .

Does the needle oscillate?

ans- if acceleration by which elevator moves down is constant then needle should not fluctuate otherwise it will fluctuate.

if the elevator starts to move up we feel weight gain . Does the needle oscillate?

ans. same logic as above.

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