- #1
happyjoe
- 7
- 0
Homework Statement
Hey everyone, this problem has been bugging me for days now, and no matter how many times I've attempted it, I feel like its going wrong.
http://img258.echo.cx/img258/4409/lift3ad.png
The buillder has a mass of 75kg and the cradle has a mass of 35kg. The builder pulls on the rope with a force of 650N.
The rope will exert a force of 650N upwards on the man and 650N upwards on the cradle.
Explain why the net upward force on the man is:
Force exerted by floor of lift - (weight of man - 650N)
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Force exerted by floor of lift = 650N
Weight of man = 735N
Now what I don't get is where the other 650N comes from? If the force exerted by the floor of the lift is 650, and the weight of man is 735N, then surely his net upward force is minus 85 Newtons? The only way the equation makes sense is if the the force exerted by the floor of the lift is equal to the upward force, minus the weight? Which again gives me negative 85 Newtons?
If anyone could help me and tell me where I am going wrong i'd really appreciate it.