Why, when you use a lift, does your weight change?

Question

I think this should be in the Trivia section. Oops.

A little hint: WEIGHT not MASS.

Answer 1

This would be better in a physics section. It's basic physics. I don't mean that you should know the answer, just that this is a physics question.

Ok, when you and the lift are stationery, you are both exerting equal force in opposite directions: your feet (you) are pushing down on the lift and the lift (the floor) is pushing up on your feet. At this point your weight is, let's just say, 44 pounds (or 20 kg).

When the lift begins it's descent, this is where you feel, or measure, your momentary weightlessness. This is due to inertia. Inertia is that force where object at rest tend to stay at rest absent outside forces. The lift begins its downward movement, but due to inertia, your body is slightly delayed in beginning it's downward movement. So at this brief moment you are exerting less downward force or pressure on the lift and if you had a scale under your feet it would measure your weight as less than it was when all was at rest.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

G-force. Your weight is only constant as long as gravity is constant. Therefore when gravity is altered by a higher G (gravitational) force you weigh more in positive G's and less in negative G's. Your mass, however, will remain constant - regardless of the G-force

Answer 3

Your body changes when you use a lift because of muscles killing all the fat in your body.