Question

if you place a 2 - kg textbook on a scale inside of an elevator, and it reads 27 n. describe the motion of the elevator. clear all the elevator is accelerating downwards the elevator is accelerating upwards the elevator is at rest the elevator is moving at a constant velocity

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the normal weight of the textbook

The weight of an object is given by $F = mg$, where $m = 2\ kg$ and $g= 9.8\ m/s^{2}$. So $F = 2\times9.8=19.6\ N$.

Step2: Analyze the reading on the scale

The scale reads $21\ N$, which is greater than the normal weight of the textbook. According to Newton's second - law $F_{net}=ma$, when the normal force $N$ (reading of the scale) is greater than the weight $mg$ of the object, $N - mg=ma$ (taking the upward direction as positive). This implies that there is a net upward force and the elevator is accelerating upwards.

Answer:

The elevator is accelerating upwards