Question

Zach, whose mass is 80 kg, is in an elevator descending at
10 m/s. The elevator takes 3.0 s to brake to a stopat the first
floor.
a. What is Zach’s apparent weight before theelevator starts
braking?
b. What is Zach’s apparent weight while theelevator is braking?

Answer 1

if the elevator is traveling at constant velocity, he only feels the regular normal force (mg)
if the elevator is braking, then he feels that extra force deaccelerating him
find the deacceleration and then find how much 'extra' force he experiences from F=ma
add that to his weight (mg) and that's how heavy he feels.

Answer 2

thank you!

Answer 3

sure!