Would the springs inside a bathroom scale be more compressed or less compressed if you weighed yourself in an elevator that moved upward at constant velocity?

Answer 1

While you're moving up or down at constant speed, the situation is exactly

the same as standing on the ground. The scale reads your weight, and the

springs are in the same condition as they are when the scale is on the floor

of your bathroom.

-- During the brief few seconds when you're accelerating downward ... starting

down from an upper floor or stopping your ascent at an upper floor ... your weight

temporarily seems to be decreased, and the springs are less compressed.

-- During the brief few seconds when you're accelerating upward ... starting up

from a low floor or stopping your descent at a low floor ... your weight temporarily

seems to be increased, and the springs are more compressed.

Answer 2

The springs inside a bathroom scale would be slightly less compressed while the elevator is moving upward at a constant velocity. This is because the force of gravity acting on you is partially offset by the acceleration of the elevator, resulting in a slightly lower net force on the springs.