Chapter 2, Problem 17TE

Latisha stands on a bathroom scale and reads her weight. Does the reading change if she raises one foot on the scale? How about if she stands with one foot on the scale and the other foot on the floor?

To determine

Whether the reading of the bathroom scale will change if Latisha rises one foot and leaves only one foot on the scale and if she stands with one foot on the scale and the other foot on the floor.

Answer to Problem 17TE

The reading on the scale will show more weight when Latisha raises one foot and leaves only one foot on scale whereas the scale will read half of Latisha’s weight if she stands with one foot on the scale and other on the ground.

Explanation of Solution

When Latisha stands on the reading scale to measure her weight with both feet, there is a balance distribution of weight between legs. If she lifts one foot and stands on the scale with one foot, then the body's total weight is concentrated on one foot, and more weight will appear on the reading scale.

If Latisha stands on a scale with one leg on the ground and another leg on the reading scale, then the reading scale will show precisely half of Latisha's weight only in the case of complete symmetry. When the weight is not symmetry, then it will depend on the amount of weight Latisha is transferring on foot placed on the reading scale.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the reading on the scale will show more weight when Latisha raises one foot and leaves only one foot on scale whereas the scale will read half of Latisha’s weight if she stands with one foot on the scale and other on the ground.