Dynamics Dungeon: Elevator Ride
PREDICT scale reading (N):
How this connects to AP Physics 1 (Topic 2.5, Newton's Second Law): a scale reads the normal force. Apply Fnet = ma to the rider: N − mg = ma, so N = m(g + a). Accelerating upward makes the scale read more than your weight, accelerating downward makes it read less, and at a = −g it reads zero. Constant velocity, up or down, reads the same as standing still.