It means that it is going up, but slowing down. Like it is going up from the lobby and about to stop at some upper floorjwviviang said:TL;DR Summary: I just have a question (I don't know how to word this summary, sorry)
If an elevator is moving upward, what does a downward acceleration mean?
In principle you can have up be either positive or negative, whatever you prefer. However, I personally think that having up be negative is confusing, so I would recommend usually choosing up positive.jwviviang said:When applying the free body diagram, will the positive direction be upwards since the elevator is moving up?
If acceleration has a component opposite to velocity, then the object is slowing down.jwviviang said:If an elevator is moving upward, what does a downward acceleration mean?
You are free to choose the orientation of your coordinate system axes, as long you apply that convention consistently.jwviviang said:When applying the free body diagram, will the positive direction be upwards since the elevator is moving up?
A.T. said:If acceleration has a component opposite to velocity, then the object is slowing down.You are free to choose the orientation of your coordinate system axes, as long you apply that convention consistently.
I see now. So if a question says (for example) "...moving upward elevator...if the elevator has a downward acceleration a = 1.4 m/s^2..." the downward acceleration means a = -1.4 m/s^2?Dale said:It means that it is going up, but slowing down. Like it is going up from the lobby and about to stop at some upper floor
In principle you can have up be either positive or negative, whatever you prefer. However, I personally think that having up be negative is confusing, so I would recommend usually choosing up positive.
So your acceleration would be negative and your velocity would be positive.
Yes, in the usual setup with up being positive.jwviviang said:I see now. So if a question says (for example) "...moving upward elevator...if the elevator has a downward acceleration a = 1.4 m/s^2..." the downward acceleration means a = -1.4 m/s^2?
A downward acceleration in an elevator means that the elevator is moving in the downward direction and its speed is increasing. This can happen when the elevator is going down at a faster rate than the force of gravity pulling it downwards.
Yes, it is safe to experience downward acceleration in an elevator as long as it is within the normal operating parameters of the elevator. Elevators are designed to withstand various forces, including acceleration and deceleration, to ensure the safety of passengers.
Downward acceleration in an elevator can counteract the force of gravity pulling passengers downwards, creating a sensation of weightlessness. This can happen when the elevator is accelerating downwards at the same rate as the force of gravity, making passengers feel as if they are floating in mid-air.
Downward acceleration in an elevator can potentially cause discomfort or motion sickness in some individuals, especially if the acceleration is sudden or prolonged. However, modern elevators are designed to minimize these effects through smooth acceleration and deceleration profiles.
Downward acceleration in an elevator is typically measured in units of meters per second squared (m/s^2) or feet per second squared (ft/s^2). This measurement indicates the rate at which the elevator's speed is changing in the downward direction, providing valuable information about the elevator's performance and passenger experience.