Florence, who weighs 580 N, stands on a bathroom scale in an elevator. What will she see the scale read when the elevator is accelerating while moving downward at 2.30 m/s²? (g = 9.8 m/s²) g

443.88 N

Explanation:

When an elevator is moving downward, the apparent weight of a person inside an elevator is given as,

R = m (g-a) ... Equation 1.

Where R = Apparent weight of the person inside the elevator, m = mass of the person, g = acceleration due to gravity, a = acceleration.

Recall,

W = mg ... Equation 2

m = W/g ... Equation 3

Where W = weight of the person

Substitute the value of m into equation 1

R = W-Wa/g ... Equation 4

Given: W = 580 N, a = 2.3 m/s², g = 9.8 m/s².

Substitute into equation 4

R = 580-580 (2.3/9.8)

R = 580-136.12

R = 443.88 N.

Hence she will she 443.88 N as the scale reading.