What is your apparent weight?

enter image source here

1 Answer
Apr 15, 2018

The total upward force on you is #890 N#.

Explanation:

Your normal #"weight" = m*g = 75 kg*9.8 m/s^2 = 735 N#.

With the elevator at rest (or constant speed), the floor provides an upward 735 N force to provide a zero net force.

You are accelerating upwards at #2 m/s^2#. The floor needs to provide an extra upward force to accelerate you upward at that rate.
#"extra upward force" = m*a = 75 kg*2 m/s^2 = 150 N#

The total upward force on you is #(735 + 150) N = 885 N#.
That is your apparent weight. In accordance to the number of significant digits in the data supplied, the answer should be reported as 890 N.

You could just multiply your mass by (9.8 + 2 m/s^2), but I hope going thru the above steps makes the reason more clear.

I hope this helps,
Steve