Question

A cartoon shows the toupee coming off the head of an elevator passenger when the elevator rapidly stops during an upward ride. Can this really happen without the person being tied to the floor of the elevator? Explain your answer.

Short answer

No, this is not possible, except if some other external upward force would be applied to it in addition to the force of gravity pulling down the passenger.

Step-by-step solution

Concept of the law of inertia

According to Newton’s first law of motion (law of inertia), a body will continue its state of motion with constant speed or remain at rest until or unless acted by some external force.

Explanation for toupee not coming off the head in an elevator

No, this is not possible, except if some other external upward force would be applied to it in addition to the force of gravity pulling down the passenger.

The toupee will only leave the head. All the operating forces are removed from it except the force of gravity. Gravity pulls down with an acceleration of 10 m/s2. If the passenger moves down faster means some additional force is pulling him down. Air resistance is neglected here.