Question

You've always wondered about the acceleration of the elevators in the 101 story-tall Empire State Building. One day, while visiting New York, you take your bathroom scale into the elevator and stand on them. The scales read 130 lb as the door closes. The reading varies between 100 lb and 160 lb as the elevator travels 101 floors.
i) What is the maximum acceleration upward?ii) What is the maximum magnitude of the acceleration downward?

Answer 1

Answer:

Both have the magnitude of 0.23g, or 2.264 m/s2

Explanation:

So the scale would read 160lb when the elevator accelerates upward and 100lb when the elevator accelerate downward

As 160 / 130 = 1.23, you are experiencing 1.23 g when accelerate upwards. The magnitude of the acceleration upward would be 1.23g - g = 0.23 g, or 9.81*0.23 = 2.264 m/s2.

Similarly, 100 / 130 = 0.77, you are experiencing 0.77 g when accelerate downwards. The magnitude of the acceleration downward would be g - 0.77g =  0.23 g, or 9.81*0.23 = 2.264 m/s2.