1.

(10 points)
A student of mass m = 45 kg stands on a platform scale in an elevator in a tall
building. The elevator’s acceleration is 1.2 m/s2 downward.

(a) Draw a free body diagram of the student, who is represented by the dot below.

(b) Calculate the reading on the scale.

(c) On the axes below, sketch a possible velocity-time graph for a time during which
the elevator does not change its direction of motion. Consider the upward
direction to be positive.

(d) Answer the following based on the velocity-time graph you sketched in (c):

i. Is the elevator speeding up or slowing down?

o Speeding up
o Slowing down

ii. Is the elevator moving upward or downward?

o Upward
o Downward

iii. Explain in one sentence how the elevator could be moving in the OTHER
direction from your answer above and still have the same acceleration.