Abstract
The present study shows the time dependence of the weight, perceived of a man, inside an elevator in motion. The sensation of this weight is caused by the upward force exerted by the elevator upon the man. A function has been empirically chosen to express the time dependence of velocity. Using this function, the upward force, acting on the man, has been calculated to determine thereby his apparent weight. Fractional change of weight, perceived by the man, has been estimated. The ratio of the apparent weight to the actual weight has been determined. For the upward and downward motions of the elevator, the present article graphically shows the time dependence of its speed, acceleration, ratio of the apparent to actual weight and the fractional change of weight, for different values of a parameter that controls the sharpness of the velocity-versus-time curve. To quantify the degree of comfort that one gets, while riding in an elevator, a parameter called comfort factor has been defined. It has been defined in two different ways, showing clearly the factors that reduce or enhance the level of comfort in such a journey. A major purpose of this study is to show the science students, the time evolution of what we perceive as our weight inside an elevator, using very simple mathematics, going far beyond the qualitative or semi-quantitative discussions of the school-level textbooks for senior students.
Highlights
The weight of an object is the force of earth’s gravitational attraction acting on it
We have empirically chosen a half cycle of a sinusoidal function of time to represent the time dependence of elevator speed. This function has been used to obtain the upward force exerted by the elevator upon the man, which is his apparent weight
One of the objectives of the present study is to explore the concept of apparent weight, in an accelerating elevator, with a greater mathematical rigour than the qualitative or semiquantitative discussions that one finds in several textbooks read by senior school students
Summary
The weight of an object is the force of earth’s gravitational attraction acting on it. He feels lighter in an elevator that is accelerating downward (or decelerating upward) All these perceptions depend upon the force exerted by the floor of the elevator upon the man. As the elevator moves from one floor to the the sensation or perception of weight changes with time, depending upon the change in the upward force exerted by the floor. We have empirically chosen a half cycle of a sinusoidal function of time to represent the time dependence of elevator speed This function has been used to obtain the upward force exerted by the elevator upon the man, which is his apparent weight. The time dependence of the velocity, acceleration, ratio of apparent to actual weight and FCW has been shown graphically, for the upward and downward motions of the elevator. One of the objectives of the present study is to explore the concept of apparent weight, in an accelerating elevator, with a greater mathematical rigour than the qualitative or semiquantitative discussions that one finds in several textbooks read by senior school students
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
