What happens to weight when elevator goes down?

The normal force is equal to your apparent weight. So, you actually feel a little heavier than usual when the elevator accelerates upward, and lighter than usual when the acceleration is down.

Why does an individual seem lighter when an elevator moves downward?

This can also make you feel lighter: when the elevator slows down, you need to slow down with it. But gravity is always pulling you down, so for you to slow down, the floor needs to push up on you less, so gravity can slow you down. Since the floor pushes on you less, you feel lighter.

Does weight change with acceleration?

Weight will change if there is a CHANGE in acceleration. Weight is defined as Mass * Acceleration. If the acceleration is constant, the so is the weight.

What happens to the reading on the scale when the elevator stops moving?

When you stand on a scale, the scale’s reading is a measure of your weight. If the elevator is stopped, the scale reads what you would expect it to read, your weight in an elevator. The same is true when the elevator is moving at a constant velocity. There elevator is in equilibrium.

Why does weight increase when elevator goes up?

If you stand on a scale in an elevator accelerating upward, you feel heavier because the elevator’s floor presses harder on your feet, and the scale will show a higher reading than when the elevator is at rest. The force exerted by the scale is known as apparent weight; it does not change with constant speed.

Why does acceleration increase weight?

The actual explanation of why all objects accelerate at the same rate involves the concepts of force and mass. Thus, the greater force on more massive objects is offset by the inverse influence of greater mass. Subsequently, all objects free fall at the same rate of acceleration, regardless of their mass.

What happens to the apparent weight when the lift is moving downwards?

The apparent weight does not change when the lift is moving downwards, only when the lift is accelerating (speeding up) in the downward direction. This happens because the acceleration of the lift is subtracted from the acceleration due to gravity.

What happens to your weight in an elevator when you stop?

If the elevator is stopped, the scale reads what you would expect it to read, your weight in an elevator. The same is true when the elevator is moving at a constant velocity. There elevator is in equilibrium. You may notice that when the elevator begins to move, your weight seems to change.

Why does my weight increase when I accelerate?

The overall acceleration is up, so the acceleration is positive. There are two forces in action, your weight down (-mg) and the supporting Normal force. The scale reads the Normal force, so it reports your weight as greater than it was at rest.

How can the net downward acceleration of an elevator be reduced?

The answer to part (d) of your question depends on the presence or absence of air resistance and friction between the elevator and the walls. Either one of them will tend to reduce the net downward acceleration. Follow-up on this answer.