Grade 11 physics

Assignment 5 Newton’s Laws

Please complete each question in “given/formula(s)/solution/answer” format.

An elevator has a mass of 2250 kg.
a) What is the tension in the cable that supports the elevator when it is at rest? Complete the FBD
b) What is the tension in the cable when the elevator is moving up with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s2? Complete the FBD.
c) What is the tension in the cable when the elevator is moving down with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s2? Complete the FBD.

1 answer

a) FBD:
- The force of gravity acting on the elevator is given by F_g = m * g, where m is the mass of the elevator (2250 kg) and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).
- The tension in the cable that supports the elevator when it is at rest is equal to the force of gravity, so Tension = F_g = m * g.

Given:
m = 2250 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2

Solution:
Tension = m * g
Tension = 2250 kg * 9.8 m/s^2
Tension = 22050 N

Answer:
The tension in the cable that supports the elevator when it is at rest is 22050 N.

b) FBD:
- The force of gravity acting on the elevator is still F_g = m * g.
- The net force acting on the elevator when it is moving up with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s^2 is given by F_net = m * a, where a is the acceleration (0.55 m/s^2).
- The tension in the cable is equal to the force of gravity plus the net force, so Tension = F_g + F_net.

Given:
m = 2250 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
a = 0.55 m/s^2

Solution:
Tension = F_g + F_net
Tension = m * g + m * a
Tension = 2250 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 + 2250 kg * 0.55 m/s^2
Tension = 22050 N + 1237.5 N
Tension = 23287.5 N

Answer:
The tension in the cable when the elevator is moving up with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s^2 is 23287.5 N.

c) FBD:
- The force of gravity acting on the elevator is still F_g = m * g.
- The net force acting on the elevator when it is moving down with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s^2 is given by F_net = m * a. Since it is moving down, the acceleration is in the opposite direction, so the net force is negative.
- The tension in the cable is equal to the force of gravity minus the net force, so Tension = F_g - F_net.

Given:
m = 2250 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
a = 0.55 m/s^2

Solution:
Tension = F_g - F_net
Tension = m * g - m * a
Tension = 2250 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 - 2250 kg * 0.55 m/s^2
Tension = 22050 N - 1237.5 N
Tension = 20812.5 N

Answer:
The tension in the cable when the elevator is moving down with an acceleration of 0.55 m/s^2 is 20812.5 N.