Question

an elevator suspended by a vertical cable is moving downward but slowing down. the tension in the cable must be:

Answer 1

Answer:

F = M a is the vector equation involved

F = T - M g      are the forces acting on the elevator   (scalar equation)

T - M g = M a

T = M (a + g)    remember this a scalar

If a is slowing down then it must have a positive acceleration upwards

Therefor the tension in the cable must be greater than zero

When the tension increases to M g, a has increased to zero

For a to be zero, no acceleration, T = M g