Chapter 2, Problem 43A

Lucy Lightweight stands with one foot on one bathroom scale and her other foot on a second bathroom scale. Each scale reads 300 N. What is Lucy’s weight?

To determine

Weight of person L.

Answer to Problem 43A

Person L weight is $W=600\text{N}$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Reading of first bathroom scale is 300 N.

Reading of second bathroom scale is 300 N.

Formula Used:

For mechanical equilibrium, summation of all forces is zero, that is

  $\sum F=0$

Calculation:

Weight of personL will be in downward direction.

Since, person L is in mechanical equilibrium so, $\sum F=0$ or

Upward force = Downward force

  $\begin{array}{l}\Rightarrow 300+300=W\\ \Rightarrow W=600\text{N}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Therefore, person L weight is $W=600\text{N}$