Physics

Physics

Problem

While testing an elevator in a multistorey building, a physics student uses a spring balance whose stiffness constant is not yet known. She first suspends a 2.00 kg2.00\,\text{kg} standard mass from the balance at rest and notes that the pointer shifts downward by 4.0 cm4.0\,\text{cm}. Later, riding in the elevator that is accelerating uniformly upward at 1.5 m s−21.5\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}, she hangs an unknown body from the same balance and observes a downward shift of 7.0 cm7.0\,\text{cm}. Assuming the spring obeys Hooke’s law and its own mass is negligible, determine the mass of the unknown body. Show all necessary steps in your reasoning.

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