Answer
(a) The reading will be greater than the parrot's true weight. (b) The reading will be zero. (c) The reading will be greater than the parrot's true weight.
Work Step by Step
(a) Since the parrot accelerates upward, there must be an upward acting force. According to Newton's Third Law, there must be an equal, opposite reaction force downward that will cause the scale to say the parrot weighs more than he usually does. (b) When the parrot is in the air, there is no net force; therefore, the reading should be zero. (c) When the parrot is landing, there is a downward force acting on the scale. This causes the scale to make a reading that is greater than its true weight.
