Answer to Question #63942 in Mechanics | Relativity for r

Question

A man suspends a fish from the spring balance held in his hand and the balance reads 9.8N.
While shifting the balance to his other hand, the balance slips and falls down. What will be
the reading of the balance during the fall?

Answer 1

During the fall both the balance and the fish move with the same zero initial velocity and the same acceleration due to the gravity. Thus, the balance cannot feel the weight of the fish now. The spring returns to its equilibrium position. The reading of the balance will fall down from 9.8 N to 0 N.