A clever physics student is able to sneak a scale on a popular ride at an amusement park. Before the ride begins to move, the scale reads 700 N for the student's weight. As the ride lifts, it initially accelerates upward at 3 m/s2. At the top, the riders are held in suspense before the gondola is allowed to free fall downward with acceleration equal to g. What should the scale read for the student's apparent weight during the lift and the fall

(a) the student's apparent weight during the lift is 914.2 N

(b) the student's apparent weight during the fall is 0

Explanation:

Given;

student weight, W = 700 N

upward acceleration, a = 3 m/s²

Apply Newton's second law of motion;

The reading on the scale = student's apparent weight

(a) during the lift

R = W + F

R = W + ma

where;

m is mass of the student = 700 / 9.8  =  71.4 kg

R = 700 + 71.4(3)

R = 700 + 214.2 N

R = 914.2 N

(b) during the fall

R = W - ma

R = mg - ma

R = m(g-a)

here,  a = g

R = m(g - g)

R = m(0)

R = 0

Thus, during the free fall the student experiences weightlessness or zero apparent weight.

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