Help with Physics Problem: Elevator Weighing 25,000 N

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving an elevator weighing 25,000 N and the tension in the supporting cable when the elevator is accelerated upward at 3.0 m/s². Participants are exploring concepts related to forces, specifically tension and gravitational force, within the context of Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for a free body diagram and the application of Newton's second law. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between tension, weight, and acceleration, as well as questions about rearranging equations and understanding the forces acting on the elevator.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using Newton's second law and the importance of identifying forces. There is an ongoing exploration of how to set up the problem, with various interpretations of the steps needed to find the solution. While some attempts have been made to calculate forces, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion regarding the definitions of mass and weight, as well as the proper use of equations. There is a mention of imposed homework rules that discourage providing direct answers, emphasizing the need for participants to make attempts at solving the problem themselves.

Aiasha
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question...please hel;ppp

guys iam takin physics

nd i don't get physics attt allll!
pllz hlp me with this
i need to show work as well

an elvtor weighing 25,000 N is supported by a steal cable. that is the tension in the cable wehn the elavotor is begin accelerated upward at the reate of 3.0 m/s^2? (g= 9.8m/s^2)
pleasezz help[
 
Last edited:
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You need to draw a free body diagram and use Newton's second law. What forces are acting on the elevator?
 
well u c
i duno how to do all that
thats wut my prblem is
can u hlp me out
 
OK, well I can't just give you the answer to a test question. If you think about the elevator, the tension is pulling it up and the weight is pulling it down. The net acceleration on the elevator is up. Newton's second law says that Fnet = ma. So if you add the forces together (using positive for up and negative for down), you can write a single equation from Newton's second law. After one step of algebra, you can use that to solve for the tension. I hope that helps you out.
 
Trying a basic explanation...

First off, tension is much the same as force. It's just another name engineers invented when they're talking about a force that is transmitted by a cable, string, or something like that. So what you're looking for is a force, OK?

Now, the first force that acts on everything on Earth's surface, is the force of gravity. It makes things fall. Experiments have shown that any falling object accelerates at
[tex] g = 9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}[/tex]
We know that things fall a lot slower on the Moon. Why is this? It's so because the force of gravity is smaller there (because the Moon is a smaller body than the Earth). So, ISAAC NEWTON concluded that the acceleration is a measure of force, and arrived at his famous 2nd law
[tex] F = ma[/tex]
where a is the acceleration produced by a force F acting on a body of mass m.
That's why the unit of force is called one Newton:
[tex] 1 N = 1 kg \cdot 1 \frac{m}{s^2}[/tex]
You see it's the unit of mass *times* the unit of acceleration.

Now back to your problem: Two things are exerting forces on your elevator. One is the Earth (pulling it down), and the other is the elevator's motor (pulling it up). Both forces will add, giving the cable tension (remember: =force) Can you calculate both forces by Newton's second law? And find the sum?
 
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thanx guys
but if u tell the eqauitns whihc i have to solve
than i can solve it
i mean liek the free body diagram
nd wut equations i need to solve it
 
i jus don't get it [b(]
 
Aiasha,

We don't do your homework for you here. We'll help you if you actually make an attempt at it, but we simply won't help you cheat. Sorry.

Here's a recommendation: open you book, and start reading. Setting up free body diagrams is not difficult to do.

If you try the problem and post what you've got, you may get some help.
 
ok i got
f=ma
f= 25,000(3.0m/s^2)
is that somwhat right?
 
  • #10
That's what the force would be if there was no gravity. You've got to sum all forces on it.
 
  • #11
how do i do that?
common am soo confused
 
  • #12
u should master Free Body Diagrams thoroughly.
Consult any standard book

know more about forces, types of forces, frame of reference etc
 
  • #13
Originally posted by Aiasha
ok i got
f=ma
f= 25,000(3.0m/s^2)
is that somwhat right?

No, it's wrong.
25,000 N is not the elevator's mass. Since it's in Newtons, it must be the force of gravity, right? (Did you read my other post?)
You got to find the mass m by using F = mg, and rearranging that. Do you know how to rearrange an equation to solve for the unknown?
Next, you use F = ma to find the elevator's force.
 
  • #14
how do i rearrange that
nd wut do i subsitute in thos eletters
 
  • #15
You rearrange like this:
[tex] F = mg | :g[/tex]
[tex] \frac{F}{g}=m[/tex]
[tex] m= \frac{F}{g}[/tex]
Plug in your F, and the g that I told you in my 1st post.

(You should study more. What I tell you is all very basic (grade 8), and you should know it if you're taking this course.)
 
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  • #16
this is wut i got
f=mg
25000=m(9.8m/s^2)
2551=m
f=ma
2551*3.0
f=7653

is that righ?
 
  • #17
Yes. The motor force is 7653 N (you should always use units). Now that adds to the elevator's weight, giving WHAT?
 

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