Apparent weight Transitional Reasoning Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   A physics demonstration evaluates how vertical acceleration affects different measuring devices using a 5.0 kg specimen inside an elevator accelerating downward at 2.5 m/s2. The specimen is tested on a calibrated spring scale that measures the supporting contact force, and on an equal-arm beam balance that uses standard counterweights. Taking $g = 9.8$ m/s2, what apparent weight is recorded by the spring scale, and what mass is indicated by the beam balance?

   • A) 36.5 N on the spring scale, and 5.0 kg on the beam balance
   • B) 36.5 N on the spring scale, and 3.7 kg on the beam balance
   • C) 61.5 N on the spring scale, and 5.0 kg on the beam balance
   • D) 49.0 N on the spring scale, and 3.7 kg on the beam balance
2. 2.

   A 70 kg athlete performs a vertical jump test while standing on a calibrated force platform that records apparent weight as the normal contact force on their feet. During the upward propulsion phase, the platform displays an apparent weight of 1190 N. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as $g = 9.8\text{ m/s}^2$, what are the net force acting on the athlete and their vertical acceleration during this phase?

   • A) Net force: 1190 N upward; acceleration: $17.0\text{ m/s}^2$ upward
   • B) Net force: 504 N upward; acceleration: $7.2\text{ m/s}^2$ upward
   • C) Net force: 504 N downward; acceleration: $7.2\text{ m/s}^2$ downward
   • D) Net force: 686 N upward; acceleration: $9.8\text{ m/s}^2$ upward
3. 3.

   A research payload rests on a digital force platform inside a vertical test chamber. When the chamber accelerates upward with a constant acceleration of magnitude $a$, the platform records an apparent weight of 360 N. When the chamber accelerates downward with the same acceleration magnitude $a$, the platform records an apparent weight of 120 N. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as $g = 10\text{ m/s}^2$, what is the true weight of the payload and the magnitude of the chamber's acceleration $a$?

   • A) True weight is 240 N, and the acceleration magnitude is $2.5\text{ m/s}^2$.
   • B) True weight is 240 N, and the acceleration magnitude is $5.0\text{ m/s}^2$.
   • C) True weight is 480 N, and the acceleration magnitude is $5.0\text{ m/s}^2$.
   • D) True weight is 360 N, and the acceleration magnitude is $3.3\text{ m/s}^2$.
4. 4.

   A remote-operated vertical hoist transports a sealed cargo crate of mass 12 kg resting on a calibrated digital force platform. During a monitored segment of the journey, the platform continuously displays an apparent weight of 90 N. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as g = 10 m/s2, which of the following deductions correctly determines the acceleration of the crate and its possible states of motion?

   • A) The crate has an acceleration of 2.5 m/s2 directed downward; it may be moving downward with increasing speed or moving upward with decreasing speed.
   • B) The crate has an acceleration of 2.5 m/s2 directed upward; it must be moving upward with increasing speed.
   • C) The crate has an acceleration of 7.5 m/s2 directed downward; it must be moving downward with decreasing speed.
   • D) The crate has an acceleration of 1.5 m/s2 directed downward; it can only be moving downward at a constant acceleration.
5. 5.

   A vertical test capsule accelerates upward from rest along a launch track, covering a distance of 24 m in the first 4.0 s under constant acceleration. Inside the capsule, a 15 kg instrument package rests upon a digital force platform calibrated to measure normal force. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as $g = 9.8\text{ m/s}^2$, what apparent weight does the platform record during this phase, and how does it compare to the package's true weight?

   • A) 102 N, which is less than the package's true weight of 147 N
   • B) 45 N, which is less than the package's true weight of 147 N
   • C) 192 N, which is greater than the package's true weight of 147 N
   • D) 147 N, which is equal to the package's true weight of 147 N
6. 6.

   A 50 kg student stands on a calibrated scale inside an elevator in a high-rise building. While moving upward toward the observation deck, the elevator slows down at a constant rate of $2.0\text{ m/s}^2$. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as $g = 9.8\text{ m/s}^2$, what reading does the scale show during this deceleration, and how does the student's apparent weight compare to their true weight?

   • A) 590 N, which is greater than the true weight
   • B) 390 N, which is less than the true weight
   • C) 490 N, which is equal to the true weight
   • D) 100 N, which is less than the true weight

Answers and step-by-step solutions appear after you finish the test.