Asked in UHS MDCAT 2010 2010Moderate

When a lift is accelerated upward, the apparent weight of an object in it will be:

Correct answer: D. Greater than its real weight

  • A. Equal to its real weight
  • B. Less than its real weight
  • C. Zero
  • D. Greater than its real weight

Explanation

The apparent weight of an object is the force exerted by the object on the surface it is resting on. When a lift is accelerated upward, the acceleration adds to the gravitational pull, making the apparent weight greater than the real weight. This is due to the net force being the sum of gravitational force and upward acceleration. In contrast, if the lift were accelerating downward, the apparent weight would be less. If the lift were in free fall, the apparent weight would be zero because both the object and the lift would be accelerating at the same rate, eliminating any normal force.

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