Instruction:

Press

or

to travel up or down in the lift. Observe how the supporting force on the girl varies.

  • 5 / F
  • 4 / F
  • 3 / F
  • 2 / F
  • G / F
G

weight

W = 400 N

supporting force

R = 400 N

Acceleration a = 0 m s−2

Velocity v = 0 m s−1

Time elapsed = 0 s

Force acting on the girl show hide

Force and Newton's Law of Motion

Apparent weight in a lift

Task 1

Find out under what situation will the girl feel heavier.

Whenever the direction of acceleration is upward, the girl feels heavier.

Task 2

Find out under what situation will the girl feel lighter.

Whenever the direction of acceleration is downward, the girl feels lighter.

Task 3

Find out under what situation will the girl feel her weight as usual.

The girl feels her weight as usual when the lift is at rest or moving at a constant velocity.