Question

An elevator filled with passengers has a mass of 1603 kg. (a) The elevator accelerates upward from rest at a rate of 1.20 m/s2 for 2.50 s. Calculate the tension in the cable (in N) supporting the elevator.

Answer 1

Answer:

T = 17649.03 N = 17.65 KN

Explanation:

The tension in the cable must be equal to the apparent weight of the passenger. For upward acceleration:

$T = W_A = m(g+a)$

where,

T = Tension in cable = ?

$W_A$ = Apparent weight

m = mass = 1603 kg

g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s²

a = acceleration of elevator = 1.2 m/s²

Therefore,

$T = (1603\ kg)(9.81\ m/s^2+1.2\ m/s^2)$

T = 17649.03 N = 17.65 KN