Questions: When you stand at rest on a pair of bathroom scales, the readings on the scales will always
each be half your weight.
add up to equal your weight.
each equal your weight.
Transcript text: When you stand at rest on a pair of bathroom scales, the readings on the scales will always
each be half your weight.
add up to equal your weight.
each equal your weight.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding the Problem
Identify the scenario: A person is standing on two bathroom scales, and we need to determine the relationship between the readings on the scales and the person's weight.
Step 2: Analyzing Forces
Recognize that the person’s weight is the force due to gravity acting downward. The scales provide upward forces (normal forces) that counteract this weight.
Step 3: Applying Newton's Third Law
According to Newton's Third Law, the sum of the forces exerted by the scales (upward) must equal the gravitational force (downward) when the person is at rest. Therefore, the readings on the scales add up to the person’s total weight.
Final Answer
The readings on the scales will always add up to equal your weight.