Question

When an elevator starts to rise suddenly, we experience ‘weightlessness’. Explain.

Answer 1

When an elevator starts to rise suddenly, it accelerates upward. The floor must exert an extra upward force on the passenger to accelerate them with the elevator.

R − mg = ma

R = m(g + a)

Since R > mg, the apparent weight increases and the person feels heavier, not weightless.

Therefore, the statement is incorrect: weightlessness is experienced when an elevator falls freely downward, not when it suddenly starts rising.