A 72.2-kg person stands on a scale in an elevator. What is the apparent weight when the elevator is (a) accelerating upward with an acceleration of 1.53 m/s2, (b) moving upward at a constant speed, and (c) accelerating downward with an acceleration of 1.44 m/s2?

Answer 1

a) weight in N = 72.2 x (9.8+1.53) = 818N
b) weight in N = 72.2 x 9.8 = 708N
c) weight in N = 72.2 x (9.8-1.44) = 604N

you multiply the mass by gravity +/- the acceleration depending on if the elevator is moving upwards or downwards.