← MAP Physics Lab

Effective Weight in a Lift

Explore how lift acceleration changes the normal force and apparent weight.

70 kg
Choose a lift situation
Scale reading = effective weight
700 N
Feels normal
At constant velocity, acceleration is zero. The scale reading equals the person's gravitational weight.
Forces on person scale mg = 700 N N = 700 N Accelerations g 10 a 0 g′ 10 g′ = g + a values in m/s²
Key relationship N = mg′
g′ = 10 m/s² → N = 70 × 10 = 700 N
This simulation uses g = 10 m/s² to simplify the calculations.