A body weighing 80N stands in an elevator that is about to move. The force exerted by floor on the body as the elevator moves upward with an acceleration of...

Answer Details

Let M = mass of elevator
m = mass of the body
g = acceleration of free fall
a = upward acceleration of the elevator (5m/ss)
when the elevator is at rest, the force it exerts on the body is equal to the weight of the body. And from Newtons third law, Mg = mg
However as the elevator ascends the net upward force F = Mg - mg = (M + m)a.
Thus, if the weight of the body = 80 N, then 88 its mass, m = 80/10 = 8kg.
Therefore M x 10 - 8 x 10 = (M + 8) 5
10M - 80 = 5M + 40
10M - 5M = 40 x 80
5M = 120 => M = 120/5 = 24kg.
Thus, net upward force = force exerted by the elevator floor on the body = (M x m)a
= (24 x 8) x5
= 32 x 5
= 160 N