a 60 kg student is standing on a bathroom scale in the elevator. Of course the scale measures weight in newtons.
I am not sure about this topic so I posted your question on mymathforum.com
http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=43715&p=183412#p183412
and this was the answer I was given. It makes sense to me.
When he is not in an elevator his weight will be 60g newtons
calculate the reading of the scale if, the elevator is moving at a constant speed, Still 60g newtons
the elevator is accelerating 4m/s/\2 up, 60(g+4) newtons
4m/s/\2 down 60(g-4) newtons
and finally the cord is cut and in free fall 60(g-g) = 0
+118654 
