Question

current attempt in progress
the apparent weight of a passenger in an elevator is greater than his true weight. which one of the following is true?
the elevator is either moving upward with an increasing speed or moving upward with a decreasing speed.
the elevator is either moving upward with an increasing speed or moving downward with an increasing speed.
the elevator is either moving upward with a decreasing speed or moving downward with a decreasing speed.
the elevator is either moving upward with an increasing speed or moving downward with a decreasing speed.
the elevator is either moving upward with a decreasing speed or moving downward with an increasing speed.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second - law for elevator problems

Let the true weight of the passenger be $W = mg$, and the normal force on the passenger be $N$ (which is the apparent weight). According to Newton's second - law, $F_{net}=ma$, where $F_{net}=N - mg$ (taking upward as positive).

Step2: Analyze the condition for $N>mg$

If $N>mg$, then $N - mg>0$. From $F_{net}=N - mg = ma$, we get $a>0$ (upward acceleration).
An upward acceleration can occur in two cases:

1. When the elevator is moving upward with an increasing speed (positive acceleration as the velocity is in the positive direction and increasing).
2. When the elevator is moving downward with a decreasing speed (acceleration is upward because the velocity is downward but the magnitude of the velocity is decreasing).

Answer:

The elevator is either moving upward with an increasing speed or moving downward with a decreasing speed.