Physics

Problem

A suitcase of mass

10\,\text{kg}

lies on the floor of an elevator. Take

g = 9.8\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}

. a. (i) Calculate the normal reaction exerted by the elevator floor on the suitcase when the elevator is ascending with an acceleration of

1.5\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}

. b. (ii) Determine the normal reaction when the elevator is descending with an acceleration of

1.5\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}

. c. (iii) Find the magnitude of the downward acceleration of the elevator for which the suitcase would just lose contact with the floor.