Apparent Weight, A 550-N physics student stands on a bathroom scale in an 850-kg (including the student) elevator that is supported by a cable. As the elevator stands moving, the scale reads 450 N.
(a) Find the acceleration of the elevator (magnitude and direction).
(b) What is the acceleration if the scale reads 670 N?
(c) If the scale reads zero, should the student worry? Explain.
(d) What is the tension in the cable in parts (a) and (c)?