Subject Code PHY1 Physics 1

Module Code 7.0 Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion

Lesson Code 7.2 Normal Force (Part 2)
Time Frame 30 minutes

Components Tasks TA1 ATA2

(min) (min)
Target By the end of this learning guide, the student should be able to:
● differentiate between apparent weight and true weight 1
● apply Newton’s laws of motion to determine normal
force or apparent weight

Hook Going back to the questions raised in Module 7.1, why does
one feel lighter when you are at the top of a Ferris wheel? Why 1
is it that your weight seems to vary while you are riding on a
roller coaster or on the EKstreme Tower ride?

To answer these questions, you need to understand first how a

weighing scale works.
Ignite When you go to the clinic for a check-up you are often asked to
stand on a weighing scale and the nurse will then get your 15
weight. If the nurse gives your weight in kilograms,
scientifically speaking, this is not your weight. This is actually
your mass. But you can use this mass to determine your
weight.

Weight refers to the gravitational force exerted on a body.

Since this is a force, its SI unit is Newton (N). To get the
weight of an object, we use the equation:
W = mg
where: W – weight
m – mass
g – acceleration due to gravity

Take note that the value of g varies from one planet to another.
Here on Earth, the accepted value of g is around 9.80 m/s2.
When you stand on a scale, your feet exerts a downward
normal force on the scale and the scale reacts by exerting an
upward normal force on you. The contact force between your
feet and the scale is the basis of the scale reading. Since you
are in equilibrium while there are two forces acting on you,
upward normal force and downward weight, we can conclude
that these two forces are equal in magnitude. Thus, the
weighing scale’s reading corresponds to your weight. In this
case, the scale registers your true weight.
Is it possible to get a different scale reading while the scale
remains functional and your mass does not change?
Yes, this is possible. Note that under ordinary circumstances,
you and the weighing scale are in a stationary environment.

1
Time allocation suggested by the teacher.
2
Actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only).

Physics 1 Normal Force (Part 2) 1 of 3

 The situation changes when things are moving, specifically
when the environment is accelerating. The magnitude of the
normal force could change, thus, the scale’s reading could
change too. The reading could imply that your weight becomes
lighter or heavier as compared to your weight when you are in
a stationary environment.
Let us consider a man standing on
a weighing scale inside an
elevator. The elevator is moving
downward with constant
acceleration (that is, the elevator
speeds up at a constant rate). What
will be the reading on the scale?
To answer this, we must determine
the contact force between the scale
and the man.
The forces acting on the man are
the normal force n (directed
upward) and the gravitational
force mg (downward). We will
use Newton’s second law of
motion, ƩF = ma where m
denotes the mass of the man, to
solve for the magnitude of the
normal force n.
However, unlike in our earlier
discussion in determining the
normal force, the man’s
acceleration is not equal to zero. Instead, the man is
accelerating downward together with the scale and the elevator.
Newton’s second law can be written as
n + (– mg) = –ma
Solving for the magnitude of n:
n = mg – ma
What does this result imply if the normal force corresponds to
the scale’s reading? This means that the reading on the scale is
lower than the man’s true weight.
How about if the elevator is accelerating upward?
Applying Newton’s second law,
n + (– mg) = ma
Solving for the magnitude of n:
n = mg + ma
The normal force, and therefore the scale reading, is greater
than the man’s true weight.
The scale reading in these two examples is referred to as
apparent weight, to differentiate it from the true weight. Note,
however, that apparent weight is not simply an instrumental
reading. The man would actually feel lighter or heavier, even
without a weighing scale, if the elevator is accelerating
downwards or upwards, respectively. This is because the
normal force exerted by a surface, be it a scale or the elevator
floor, gives one a sensation of his own weight.

Physics 1 Normal Force (Part 2) 2 of 3

 From these discussions, can you now explain why you feel
lighter when you are at the top of the Ferris wheel? Can you
identify in which part of the roller coaster track you will feel
lighter? Can you explain why the riders in the EKstreme Tower
of Enchanted Kingdom Amusement Park feel weightless as
they go down from the top of the tower?

Navigate It is now time to apply what you learned about true weight and
apparent weight. Write your answers (with complete solutions 12
for word problems) on a clean sheet of paper. Follow your
teacher's instructions regarding submission.
1. Discuss the relationship among the following:
a. true weight
b. apparent weight
c. normal force

2. Domingo weighs a box on a scale while inside an

elevator. If the box has a mass of 80.0 kg and the
elevator is accelerating downward at 2.00 m/s2. What is
the apparent weight of the box at this point?

3. Mico is inside an elevator and is standing on a weighing

scale. Prove mathematically that the scale’s reading will
be the same when the elevator is moving upward with
constant velocity and when the elevator is at rest.

4. In relation to item no. 3, what will be the apparent

weight of Mico when the cable supporting the elevator
suddenly breaks?

Knot In summary, true weight refers to the gravitational force

exerted by one body (a planet) to an object. It can be 1
determined using the equation W = mg. On the other hand, the
apparent weight of an object is equal to the normal force acting
on that object. Its value may be different from the true weight
especially when the object is accelerating.

References:
1. Serway, R., & Beichner, R. (2000). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
(5th edition). Saunders College Publishing.
2. Giancoli, Douglas C. (2007). Physics: Principles with Applications (6th edition). Pearson
Education, Inc.

Prepared by: Mary Grace R. Navarro Reviewed by: Jan Derrick O. Junio

Position: SST V Position: SST II

Campus: Ilocos Region Campus Campus: Central Luzon Campus

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