Apparent Weight Calculator:
Enter the values of real weight, Wreal(N), mass, m(kg) and acceleration of the system, a(m/s2) to determine the value of Apparent weight, WA(N).
Apparent Weight Formula:
Apparent weight is the force exerted by an object on a supporting surface, which can differ from its actual weight due to acceleration. It is perceived in situations where the object is in an accelerating system, such as an elevator or a moving vehicle.
The apparent weight is influenced by the object’s mass, the gravitational force acting on it, and any additional acceleration the system experiences.
In a non-accelerating system, the apparent weight equals the real weight, but when the system accelerates, the apparent weight can either increase or decrease depending on the direction of acceleration relative to gravity.
In cases where the system accelerates upward, the apparent weight increases because the supporting force must counteract both gravity and the additional acceleration.
Conversely, if the system accelerates downward, the apparent weight decreases, as gravity and the system’s acceleration partially offset each other.
In free fall, where the acceleration is equal to the gravitational acceleration, the apparent weight becomes zero, a condition known as weightlessness.
Apparent weight, WA(N) in Newtons is calculated by adding the real weight, Wreal(N) in Newtons with the product of mass, m(kg) in kilograms and acceleration of the system, a(m/s2) in metres per second squared.
Apparent weight, WA(N) = Wreal(N) + m(kg) * a(m/s2)
WA(N) = apparent weight in Newtons, N.
Wreal(N) = real weight in Newtons, N.
m(kg) = mass in kilograms, kg.
a(m/s2) = acceleration of the system in metres per second squared, m/s2.
Apparent Weight Calculation:
- A person with a mass of 70 kg is standing in an elevator that accelerates upward at 2 m/s2 and the real weight is 686N. Calculate the apparent weight of the person.
Given: Wreal(N) = 686N, m(kg) = 70kg, a(m/s2) = 2m/s2.
Apparent weight, WA(N) = Wreal(N) + m(kg) * a(m/s2)
WA(N) = 686 + 70 * 2
WA(N) = 826N.
- An object with a mass of 50 kg has an apparent weight of 600 N in an elevator and the real weight be 490N. Calculate the acceleration of the elevator.
Given: Wreal(N) = 490N, m(kg) = 50kg, WA(N) = 600N.
Apparent weight, WA(N) = Wreal(N) + m(kg) * a(m/s2)
a(m/s2) = WA(N) – Wreal(N) / m(kg)
a(m/s2) = 600 – 490 / 50
a(m/s2) = 110 / 50
a(m/s2) = 2.2m/s2.