Question

A person of mass $50kg$ stands on a weighing scale on a lift if the lift is descending with a downward acceleration of $9\frac{m}{s^2}$. what would be the reading of the weighing scale

Answer 1

Step 1: Given

Mass of the person = $50kg$

Downward acceleration of lift = $9\raisebox{1ex}{$m$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$s^2$}\right.$

Step 2: Find the reading on the weighing scale.

Reading on a weighing scale is equal to the apparent weight.

$$\begin{gathered} \Rightarrow R=m(g-a) \\ \Rightarrow R=50(10-9) \\ \Rightarrow R=50kN \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the reading is $50kN$.