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Finding The Force On An Elevator Cable When:: There Are 2 Approaches For Solving This Problem Using Forces

There are two methods for determining the force on an elevator cable in different scenarios: 1) Determine the sign of acceleration and incorporate it into force and kinematic equations 2) Assume positive acceleration in the force equation and determine sign from kinematics Both methods provide the same results: the force on the cable is equal to the weight of the elevator when at rest or moving at constant velocity, and is the weight plus or minus the acceleration multiplied by mass in accelerating or decelerating cases.

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119 views

Finding The Force On An Elevator Cable When:: There Are 2 Approaches For Solving This Problem Using Forces

There are two methods for determining the force on an elevator cable in different scenarios: 1) Determine the sign of acceleration and incorporate it into force and kinematic equations 2) Assume positive acceleration in the force equation and determine sign from kinematics Both methods provide the same results: the force on the cable is equal to the weight of the elevator when at rest or moving at constant velocity, and is the weight plus or minus the acceleration multiplied by mass in accelerating or decelerating cases.

Uploaded by

engkankw
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Finding the Force on an Elevator Cable when:

I. The elevator is at rest


II. The elevator accelerates upward from rest
III. The elevator accelerates downward from rest
IV. The elevator is moving at a constant velocity
V. The elevator is moving upward and comes to rest
VI. The elevator is moving downward and comes to rest

There are 2 approaches for solving this problem using forces:

Method I
Determine the sign of the acceleration and incorporate it into the force and kinematic equations

Method II
Assume the acceleration is positive in F = ma for all cases and then let its sign be determined
from the kinematic equations based on the information given in the problem

Method I
F (T)
+ Whenever a force is directed along a
linear object such as a cable,
string…it is typically referred to as
m = 800 kg the Tension (force), T.
coordinate
system

I. The elevator is at rest


The forces acting on the elevator can be represented by:

+ T
vo = 0 m/s
v = 0 m/s
a = 0 m/s2
W

∑F =0
T – mg = 0 Î T = mg
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 7840 N
II. The elevator accelerates upward from rest

+ T
vo = 0 m/s
a motion v = 10 m/s after moving 25 m

∑ F = ma
T – mg = ma (note: ma is positive since a is in the + direction)
Î T = m(g + a)

* Need value of a:

Given Needed
vo v ∆x a Î v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x

Solving for a:
v2 (10 ms ) 2
a= =
2∆x 2(25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 + 2 m/s2) = 9440 N

III. The elevator accelerates downward from rest

+ T
vo = 0 m/s
a motion v = 10 m/s after moving 25 m

∑ F = ma
T – mg = – ma (note: ma is negative since a is in the – direction)
Î T = m(g – a)
* Need value of a:

Given Needed
vo v ∆x a Î v 2 = vo 2 − 2a∆x (noting that a < 0)

Solving for a:
−v 2 −(10 ms ) 2
a= = (note: ∆x < 0 since motion is in the – direction)
2∆x 2(−25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g – a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 – 2 m/s2) = 6240 N

IV. The elevator is moving at a constant velocity

+ T
vo = 10 m/s = constant Î a = 0 m/s2
motion

∑F =0
T – mg = 0 Î T = mg
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 7840 N (same as if the elevator was at rest!)

** Would the result be different if the direction of motion were reversed?


No!

V. The elevator is moving upward and comes to rest

+ T
vo = 10 m/s
a motion v = 0 m/s after moving 25 m

W
∑ F = ma
T – mg = – ma (note: ma is negative since a is in the – direction)
Î T = m(g – a)

* Need value of a:
Use v 2 = vo 2 − 2a∆x (noting that a < 0)

Solving for a:
vo 2 (10 ms ) 2
a= =
2∆x 2(25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g – a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 – 2 m/s2) = 6240 N

VI. The elevator is moving downward and comes to rest

+ T
vo = 10 m/s
a motion v = 0 m/s after moving 25 m

∑ F = ma
T – mg = ma (note: ma is positive since a is in the + direction)
Î T = m(g + a)

* Need value of a:
Use v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x (noting that a > 0)

Solving for a:
−vo 2 −(10 ms ) 2
a= = (note: ∆x < 0 since motion is in the – direction)
2∆x 2(−25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 + 2 m/s2) = 9440 N
Method II
F (T)
+

m = 800 kg

For all cases, let the forces representing the system be given by:

+ T

∑ F = ma
T – mg = ma (note: ma is positive since a is in the + direction)
Î T = m(g + a)

* Need value of a:

I. The elevator is at rest


a = 0 m/s2
Î T = mg
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 7840 N

II. The elevator accelerates upward from rest


Given Needed
vo v ∆x a Î v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x

Solving for a:
v2 (10 ms ) 2
a= =
2∆x 2(25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 + 2 m/s2) = 9440 N
III. The elevator accelerates downward from rest
Using v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x

v2 (10 ms ) 2
a= = (note: ∆x < 0 since motion is in the – direction)
2∆x 2(−25m)
a = – 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 – 2 m/s2) = 6240 N

IV. The elevator is moving at a constant velocity


a = 0 m/s2 (regardless of direction)
Î T = mg
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 7840 N

V. The elevator is moving upward and comes to rest


Using v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x

−vo 2 −(10 ms ) 2
a= =
2∆x 2(25m)
a = – 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 – 2 m/s2) = 6240 N

VI. The elevator is moving downward and comes to rest


Using v 2 = vo 2 + 2a∆x

−vo 2 −(10 ms ) 2
a= = (note: ∆x < 0 since motion is in the – direction)
2∆x 2(−25m)
a = 2 m/s2

Therefore, T = m(g + a)
= (800 kg)(9.8 m/s2 + 2 m/s2) = 9440 N

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