Acceleration in an Elevator: Solving Newton's Second Law Problem

In summary, the conversation is about a student seeking help with a problem involving Newton's Second Law. The problem involves a student's weight changing as an elevator moves, and the student is looking for guidance on how to solve it. The suggested solution is to approach it as two separate problems and draw a free-body diagram for each situation. The equation to use is acceleration = net force/mass, and the gravitational force can be represented by Fg = ge * mass.
  • #1
hghwinds
2
0
Hi, I'm having trouble with a problem dealing with Newton's Second Law, and was wondering if anyone could give me a hint as to how I should solve it (general equation, process, whatever)? I'm not asking for somebody to solve it, I just need some help...:smile:


Homework Statement


A student, standing on a scale in an elevator at rest, sees that his weight is 840 N. As the elevator rises, his weight increases to 1050 N, then returns to normal. When the elevator slows to a stop at the 10th floor, his weight drops to 588 N, then returns to normal. Determine the acceleration at the beginning and end of the trip.

Homework Equations



acceleration= net force/mass and maybe Fg= ge * mass

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
This is a two part problem: treat the beginning and end of the trip as two separate problems. For each situation, draw a free-body diagram of the forces acting on ElevatorMan, then algebraically add up the forces associated with each arrow.
Welcome aboard, and hope that helps!
 
  • #3
Alright, thanks so much!
 

Related to Acceleration in an Elevator: Solving Newton's Second Law Problem

1. What is Newton's 2nd Law and how does it work?

Newton's 2nd Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This means that the greater the force on an object, the greater its acceleration will be. Conversely, the larger the mass of an object, the smaller its acceleration will be for a given force.

2. How is Newton's 2nd Law related to the other laws of motion?

Newton's 2nd Law is one of three laws of motion developed by Sir Isaac Newton. It is often referred to as the law of acceleration and is closely related to the other two laws. The first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force. The third law, or the law of action and reaction, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

3. Can you provide an example of Newton's 2nd Law in action?

One common example of Newton's 2nd Law is a car accelerating on a straight, level road. The force of the engine pushes the car forward, causing it to accelerate. The greater the force of the engine, the faster the car will accelerate. Additionally, if the car's mass increases (for example, by adding more passengers or cargo), the acceleration will decrease for the same amount of force.

4. How does friction affect Newton's 2nd Law?

Friction is a force that opposes motion and can affect Newton's 2nd Law in several ways. When an object is moving, friction acts in the opposite direction of the motion, which can decrease the object's acceleration. Additionally, the force of friction increases with the weight and roughness of the surfaces in contact, which can also decrease an object's acceleration.

5. Are there any real-life applications of Newton's 2nd Law?

Yes, Newton's 2nd Law has many real-life applications. It is used in the design of vehicles and their engines, as well as in sports equipment such as baseball bats and golf clubs. It is also crucial in understanding and predicting the motion of objects in space, such as satellites and spacecraft. Newton's 2nd Law is also used in the field of biomechanics to analyze and improve human movement and athletic performance.

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