Why is our weight zero when going down in a lift?

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Solution

F = mg - ma, which is less than the true weight. If the elevator cable were to break, the whole elevator-scale-person system would all begin to accelerate downward due to the force of gravity. All objects in free fall accelerate downward with the same magnitude (acceleration due to gravity, g). The scale and the person are freefalling together, so there is no contact force (Normal Force) between the scale and the person. (When they are both falling together, there is no way that the scale can support any of the person's weight.)

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