Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 4 - Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion - Check Your Understanding - Page 93: 11

Answer

We cannot tell anything from that information alone.

Work Step by Step

The scale reading in the elevator is similar with the true weight of the stack of books. This information only indicates that neither the books nor the elevator is undergoing any acceleration. Since both the elevator staying at rest and the elevator moving at a constant speed have no acceleration, we cannot tell whether the elevator is moving or not, or, if it is indeed moving, in which direction it is moving.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.