Question

question 40
2 pts
inside a freely - falling elevator, you would have an
gravitational force on you.
weight.
both of these.
neither of these.

Explanation:

• Gravitational force: The gravitational force \(F = mg\) (where \(m\) is mass and \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity) always acts on an object with mass near the Earth's surface. It is a fundamental force and is not affected by the motion of the elevator (as long as the elevator is near the Earth).
• Weight: Weight is the normal force exerted on an object. In a freely - falling elevator, the normal force \(N\) is zero. Using Newton's second law \(F_{net}=ma\), for a person in the elevator \(mg - N=ma\). Since \(a = g\) (free - fall acceleration), then \(mg - N=m\times g\), which gives \(N = 0\). But weight \(W = N\) (by the definition of weight in the context of contact forces), so the apparent weight is zero. However, the gravitational force still acts.

Answer:

gravitational force on you.