Question

A 64kg person is standing on a scale in an elevator. the elevator is rising at a constant velocity but then begins to slow, with an acceleration of 0.59m/s^2. What is the sign of the acceleration? What is the reading on the scale while the elevator is accelerating.

Answer 1

fg +fps = ma
where fg is the force due to gravity
fps is the force due to the person on the scale
ma is the submission of the forces of Fy

re-arrange the formula to find Fps.