A person stands on bathroom scales in a lift. The scales show a reading greater than the person's weight. The lift is moving A upwards with constant speed B downwards with constant speed C downwards with increasing speed D downwards with decreasing speed E upwards with decreasing speed.

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A person stands on bathroom scales in a lift - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 4 - 2015

Question 4

A person stands on bathroom scales in a lift. The scales show a reading greater than the person's weight. The lift is moving A upwards with constant speed B downwa... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A person stands on bathroom scales in a lift - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 4 - 2015

Step 1

Determine the effect of lift acceleration on scale reading

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Answer

When a person stands on bathroom scales in a lift, the scale measures the normal force exerted by the scales on the person. If the scales show a reading greater than the person's actual weight, this indicates that there is an additional upward force acting on them.

Step 2

Analyze the lift's movement

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Answer

For the reading to be greater than the actual weight, the lift must either be accelerating upwards or moving downwards with decreasing speed (decelerating). If the lift were moving at constant speed in either direction, the scale would display the person's actual weight.

Step 3

Select the correct option

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Answer

Since the problem states that the lift is moving and the scales indicate a greater weight, the correct answer is:

D downwards with decreasing speed.

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