What is Elevator: Definition and 567 Discussions

An elevator (North American English) or lift (Commonwealth English) is a type of cable-assisted, hydraulic cylinder-assisted, or roller-track assisted machine that vertically transports people or freight between floors, levels, or decks of a building, vessel, or other structure. They are typically powered by electric motors that drive traction cables and counterweight systems such as a hoist, although some pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston like a jack.
In agriculture and manufacturing, an elevator is any type of conveyor device used to lift materials in a continuous stream into bins or silos. Several types exist, such as the chain and bucket elevator, grain auger screw conveyor using the principle of Archimedes' screw, or the chain and paddles or forks of hay elevators. Languages other than English, such as Japanese, may refer to elevators by loanwords based on either elevator or lift. Due to wheelchair access laws, elevators are often a legal requirement in new multistory buildings, especially where wheelchair ramps are not possible.
Some elevators can also travel horizontally in addition to the usual vertical motion.

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  1. D

    How Do You Calculate the Velocity of a Counterweight Relative to an Elevator?

    Homework Statement In the sketch at right, the winch W draws the cable at a constant rate of 2 m/s. Calculate the velocity of the counterweight C relative to the elevator E. Homework Equations (Sa-Sc)+(Sb-Sc)+Sb=I2 The Attempt at a Solution I must be using the wrong equation...
  2. P

    Elevator Acceleration and Ball Gets Dropped

    Homework Statement An elevator accelerates from the top floor at 100 m height downward with a uniform acceleration of a. After 5.0 s, an object is dropped out of an opening in the door, and that object hits the ground 3 s later. Find a. How high up was the elevator when the object was...
  3. H

    Calculating the Tension in Cables for Elevator Movement

    a hevy piece of macinery(85kg) is being moved by elevator between floors in a building. Two identical small cranes are used. a cable connects each 'crane' to a mounting hook on the top of the piece of equipment. the cable from one crane is at an angle of 22degrees below the horizontal while the...
  4. R

    .Understanding Stress on Space Elevator

    i am not able to understand how, where and why stresses will act on the space elevator considering it to be a rope or ribbon, i mean to ask that if we make a free body diagram of the space elevator then where and in which direction forces will act on it. and why that forces will act as they...
  5. C

    Elevator with constant acceleration

    Homework Statement The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas is 1137 ft high. It takes 1 min, 20 s to ascend from the ground floor to the top of the tower using the high-speed elevator. The elevator starts and ends at rest. Assume that it maintains a constant upward acceleration until it reaches its...
  6. H

    Mercury in Freefall: The Impact on Elevator Mechanics Explained

    There is a drop of mercury in an elevator (flat on the ground). during freefall what will happen to the mercury.
  7. O

    Bucket elevator drawing high power

    A bucket elevator for conveying solid material (cement mill feed of 30mm~2.5mm) draws an abnormally high current when loaded. some buckets where discovered deformed. The deformed buckets where changed, but the elevator still took high kilowatt on start up. Please what could be the cause.
  8. W

    Formula for light deflection in elevator

    I was just wondering if there is a simple formula for determining how much a horizontal light beam deflects in an accelerating elevator. The horizontal light beam would start at one side of the elevator and hit the other side of the elevator. In a non-accelerating elevator, the light beam would...
  9. K

    An elevator Physics Accelerating Frame

    An elevator slows down with a 6 m/s2 acceleration and an object m=3 kg is freely released as shown in figure There is no friction between object an semispherical shape. The object reaches L point what is the force which the object exerts L point? A)120 N B)240 N C)360 N D)480 N E)600 N...
  10. C

    Weight in an elevator, at terminal velocity

    There's a discussion on reddit about an elevator not just in free fall, but at terminal velocity. I know that at the moment the elevator starts to fall, you would feel weightless. But does this hold true for terminal velocity as well? You have stopped accelerating, so you are experiencing a...
  11. K

    Elevator at rest compared to when its accelerating

    Homework Statement When the elevator is at rest, the scale reads W. Suppose the elevator now accelerates down-ward at a constant rate of 0.4 g. What is the ratio of the new scale reading to the value W of the scale reading when the elevator is at rest? Homework Equations Force...
  12. P

    Elevator Physics: Block on Wedge, a=2m/s^2, μ=0.1

    Homework Statement an elevator descends with a = 2m/s^2. there is a wedge on it. the wedge has an angle of 30 degrees. at the top of the incline of the wedge a small block is released with zero initial velocity from the elevator's frame of ref. after 1 sec, how much does the block travel along...
  13. V

    What will happen if a elevator containing a spring attached to it fall freely

    in elevator before cable break mg=kx in frame of elevator after cable break F(gravity)+F(pseudo)+F(spring)=0 answering question is not tough but i am interested in other things that will happen with this system. Will the elevator move with a constant acceleration with respect to a...
  14. A

    The value of spring constant in Mass spring system in an elevator

    A mass spring system is in elevator which moves upward with an acceleration "a" . What will be effect on the measured value of spring constant compared to its value when elevator is at rest. Since K= F/x At rest F=mg But with acceleration F=m(g+a) So I think the value is...
  15. M

    Elevator going down; Main energy transformation?

    Homework Statement Hi! In the attachment :) The Attempt at a Solution Okay! By looking at the question I would've intuitively guessed that the answer would've been perhaps A. gravitational energy→kinetic energy! But then I thought of the P=F*v formula. If the elevator is going down at a...
  16. S

    Newtons third law, elevator question (free body diagram)

    Homework Statement An elevator containing 3 passengers(with a mass of 72kg 84 kg and 35 kg) has a mass combined of 1030 kg . The cable attached to the elevator exherts an upward force of 12000 N. But the friction opposing the motion of the elevator is 1400 N. a) Draw a free body diagram...
  17. H

    Scale Hanging From Ceiling of Elevator Question

    Homework Statement An object is hung from a spring scale attached to the ceiling of an elevator. The scale reads 65 N when the elevator is standing still. What is the reading of the scale when the elevator is moving upward with a speed of 7.6 m/s and decelerating at 2.4 m/s^2? Homework...
  18. T

    Elevator falling on spring question

    Homework Statement Alright, this one's been bothering me. An engineer is designing a spring to be placed at the bottom of an elevator shaft. If the elevator cable should break when the elevator is at a height h above the top of the spring, calculate the value that the spring stiffness...
  19. P

    Weight in an Elevator and Normal Force

    Homework Statement A person who normally weighs 200 lbs is standing on a scale inside of an elevator. The elevator is moving downwards at a constant speed of 7.0 m/s and then begins to slow down at a rate of 4.9 m/s^2. Before the elevator begins to decelerate, the reading of the scale is...
  20. I

    Tension on a string while an elevator is moving

    Homework Statement A girl in an elevator is holding one end of a string, and a weight hangs from the other end. In which of the following cases is the magnitude of the tension in the string greatest? (a) while the elevator moving downward and it is slowing down (b) while the elevator moves...
  21. D

    Need a check on a elevator going up problem

    Just want to see if I did everything right. I'm notorious for simple mistakes. Homework Statement A 100kg man concerned about his weight decides to weigh himself in an elevator. He stand on a bathroom scale in an elevator that is moving upward at 3.0 m/s. As the elevator reaches his floor, it...
  22. P

    Lamp Hanging in an Elevator

    Homework Statement A lamp hangs vertically from a cord in a descending elevator that decelerates at 1.6 m/s2. (a) If the tension in the cord is 92 N, what is the lamp's mass? (b) What is the cord's tension when the elevator ascends with an upward acceleration of 1.6 m/s2? Homework...
  23. Z

    Questions about Equivalence principle & Einstein Elevator?

    Einstein inoculated general relativity with the help of equivalence principle and space elevator as shown in the following link http://www.astronomynotes.com/relativity/s3.htm QUESTIONS 1- What is the direction of weight [force] of a person standing on the floor of aforementioned...
  24. P

    Finding the power of an elevator motor

    Homework Statement A 650kg elevator starts from rest. It moves upward for 3s with constant acceleration until it reaches its cruising speed of 1.75m/s. A) What is the average power of the elevator motor during this time period? B) How does this power compare with the motor power when the...
  25. D

    Solving for Motion Information on a elevator and some lights

    Homework Statement A decorative light fixture in an elevator consists of a 2.0 kg light suspended by a cable from the ceiling of the elevator. From this light, a separate presses the emergency stop button. During the stop, the upper cable snaps. The elevator engineer says that the cable could...
  26. V

    Can You Jump in a Free Falling Elevator?

    In a free falling elevator, can you jump, my question is as simple as that, my teacher said you can't (due to newtowns 3rd law since there would be nothing with which I could cause the reaction of jumping) but still can you ?
  27. P

    Counterweight in An Elevator System

    An elevator system, includes a cabin of 2000 kg, a counterweight of 2220 kg and a load of 550 kg, moves at constant speed) of 1.75 m/s upwards. Find the power being delivered to the system including only the cabin and load. (Take g, acceleration of gravity = 10 m/s^2) *The counterweight helps...
  28. W

    How much do you weight in an elevator?

    Does your weight change in elevator? I have recently found an answer to this question but I can't understand it completely. So, here is the answer : No, your weight is unchanged. To provide the acceleration upwards, the floor or scale must exert on your feet an upward force that is greater in...
  29. R

    Calculating average horsepower of an elevator help

    Hello. I hope someone here can give me some advice for solving this problem for an introductory mechanical engineering course. Below is the problem statement verbatim, and them my attempt at solving it. Advice and guidance is greatly appreciated! Homework Statement Here is the problem...
  30. K

    Elevator Problem: Max Mass Calculation (10kN, 2m/s2)

    Homework Statement An elevator cable can hold a maximum of 10kN and has a maximum accelleration of 2m/s2. Determine the maximum mass of the elevator and participants. i need some help, can't figure this out at all. thanks in advance
  31. J

    How Do You Calculate the Normal Force on a Person in an Accelerating Elevator?

    Homework Statement A person of mass m is standing in an elevator of mass M. The elevator is moving downward, but has an upward acceleration of a. To an observer fixed on the Earth, the force exerted on the person by the floor of the elevator is a. (m+M)g b. m(g+a) c. m(g-a) d. M(a-g)...
  32. S

    Newton's Third Law and Forces in an Elevator

    Hi, I am confused on a certain part of Newton's third law. I know that it states that for every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force that act of different objects. So, let's say you have an elevator that is suspended by a cable. The elevator's mass is 1kg (I know this...
  33. T

    Positive vs. negative work in an elevator?

    Homework Statement You are moving into an apartment and take the elevator to the 6th floor. Does the force exerted on you by the elevator do positive or negative work when the elevator (a) goes up and (b) goes down? Explain your answers. Suppose your weight is 685N and that of your...
  34. S

    Newton's Third Law in an Elevator

    Hi, I was in an elevator the other day and I began to think about the forces acting on me and the elevator during my ascent and I became very confused. Let's say for example that my mass and the elevator's mass combined is 100kg so this weighs 98N. When the elevator is at rest I figured...
  35. C

    "Scale in Elevator: Should Student Worry?

    Homework Statement A person stands on an scale in an elevator. If the scale reads zero, should the student worry? Explain. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I think the student would be in free fall and he should worry. The only force acting on the elevator would...
  36. S

    Minimum time taken by elevator

    Homework Statement An elevator of mass (m), is pulled upwards by a massless rope, which can bear a maximum tension of nmg (n-any natural number > 1). If the elevator starts from rest at point A, and it rises to level B where it comes to rest again.(momentary rest is sufficient). Find the...
  37. C

    When an elevator moves upwards with an acceleration

    Homework Statement When an elevator moves upwards with an acceleration, what is the equation for tension? Is it T+W =ma? When an elevator moves downwards with an acceleration, would the equation be T+W=-ma? Thats all. Thanks. I really can't figure it out. All I know is that...
  38. khurram usman

    Elevator of torronto tower ?

    elevator of torronto tower...? the elevators in the torronto tower travels at 370m/min from ground level to the top floor . suppose that when the elevator begins to rise from ground level a coin is dropped from the top floor down the elevator shaft. at what height does the elevator meet the...
  39. C

    Finding accleration and tension as an elevator moves upwards/downwards.

    Homework Statement A 593 N physics student stands on a bathroom scale in an 875 kg (including the student) elevator that is supported by a cable. As the elevator starts moving, the scale reads 424 N. A. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the elevator. B. What is the acceleration if the...
  40. P

    Find the acceleration of an elevator

    Homework Statement Find the acceleration of an elevator going upwards and downwards if your initial mass is 45 kg, when its going downwards is 36 kg, and when its going upwards is 47 kg. Homework Equations F=ma The Attempt at a Solution W=45(9.8) W=441 N W=47(9.8) W=460.6 N...
  41. W

    Elevator Problem For General College Physics

    Homework Statement A 220 lb man stands on a scale in an elevator. What does the scale read when the elevator accelerates upward at 1.6 m/s^2? What does it read when accelerating downward at the same rate Homework Equations F=ma, w=mg, The Attempt at a Solution m=w/g 220/9.81 =...
  42. J

    Calculating Tension for 2000kg Elevator at Rest

    Homework Statement An elevator, complete with contents, has a mass of 2000 kg. By drawing free-body diagrams and by performing the neccesary calculations, determine the value of T ( tension) when a) the elevator is at rest Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i don't get...
  43. T

    Force and motion in Newton's laws for elevator

    An elevator cab and its load have a combined mass of 1600 kg. Find the tension in the supporting cable when the cab, originally moving downward at 12 m/s, is brought to rest with constant acceleration in a distance of 42m. Taking downwards as positive My solution: F net = mg - T = ma T =...
  44. M

    What is the Force Exerted by a Spring in a Moving Elevator?

    Homework Statement Three masses m1 = 3.1 kg, m2 = 9.3 kg and m3 = 6.2 kg hang from three identical springs in a motionless elevator. the elevator is moving downward with a velocity of v = -2.3 m/s but accelerating upward with an acceleration of a = 4.8 m/s2. (Note: an upward acceleration...
  45. M

    Spring in a motionless elevator

    Homework Statement A single mass m1 = 3.1 kg hangs from a spring in a motionless elevator. The spring is extended x = 11 cm from its unstretched length. 1)What is the spring constant of the spring? Homework Equations F=-kx The Attempt at a Solution Having trouble setting this...
  46. R

    Conceptual elevator and atwood pulley problem

    Homework Statement A simple Atwood machine composed of a single pulley and two masses, m1 and m2 is on an elevator. When m1= 44.7kg and m2=45.3kg, it takes 5.00s for mass m2 to descend exactly one meter from rest relative to the elevator. What is the elevator's motion? (That is, is it moving...
  47. M

    Calculate Elevator Accel. - FN=mg+ma

    Homework Statement A person stands on a bathroom scale in a motionless elevator. When the elevator begins to move, the scale briefly reads only 0.71 of the person's regular weight. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the elevator. Homework Equations FN=mg+ma The Attempt...
  48. V

    Space Elevator: Magnitized Cable for Supersonic Travel

    Everyone has heard of the space elevator using a cable(s) that attaches to a geosynchronus satellite. Now trying to lift things is always a very energy expensive process, since just making a payload weightless cost energy and you get zero velocity and travel. Also how fast could an elevator...
  49. M

    A ball thrown up in an elevator.

    Homework Statement An elevator goes down with a constant acceleration a. Someone throws the ball upward from the floor with an initial velocity u relative to the elevator. If the height of the elevator is h=2,25m, the ball has an initial speed relative to the elevator u=15 m/s and it hits...
  50. D

    Kinematics question - elevator problem

    Kinematics question...? you are asked to program a sequence of vertical motions for an elevator to take it from one floor in a building to the floor directly above, a total distance of 5.0m. In order to ensure that the ride is safe and comfortable for passengers, the elevator's motion is subject...
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