Given:
Mass, m = 48.1 kg
As the elevator begins to move, the weight = 331 N.
Let's find the acceleration experienced by the girl as the elevator begins to move.
Let's first find the weight of the girl when the elevator was at rest:
[tex]W=m*g=48.1*9.8=471.38\text{ N}[/tex]
We can see the actual weight is less than the weight on the scale as the elevator begins to move.
Therefore, there will be a downward acceleration.
Now, apply the formula:
[tex]N=mg-ma[/tex]
Where:
N = 331 N
m = 48.1 kg
g is acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²
Plug in values in the formula and solve for a:
[tex]\begin{gathered} N=m(g-a) \\ \\ 331=48.1(9.8-a) \\ \\ \frac{331}{48.1}=9.8-a \\ \\ a=9.8-\frac{331}{48.1} \\ \\ a=9.8-6.88 \\ \\ a=2.92\text{ m/s}^2 \end{gathered}[/tex]
Therefore, the acceleration is -2.92 m/s²
ANSWER:
-2.92 m/s²
