How Do Forces Act on an Elevator in Motion and at Rest?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the forces acting on an elevator with a mass of 3000 kg, suspended by a cable. When at rest, the gravitational force (F_g) is 29400 N downward, and the tension (F_T) in the cable is equal to this force, also 29400 N upward. When the elevator ascends at a constant speed of 3.0 m/s, the net force is zero, resulting in equal tension and gravitational force. In contrast, if the elevator descends with an acceleration of 3.0 m/s², the tension is calculated to be 20400 N upward, while the gravitational force remains at 29400 N downward.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law of Motion
  • Familiarity with free-body diagrams
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force calculations
  • Concept of tension in cables and strings
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Newton's Second Law in different scenarios
  • Learn how to draw and interpret free-body diagrams effectively
  • Explore the concept of tension in various mechanical systems
  • Investigate the effects of acceleration on forces in motion
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Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of forces acting on objects in motion and at rest.

  • #61
yes..4gR=v^2+2g*R(1-costhetha)..?
 
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  • #62
pinkyjoshi65 said:
yes..4gR=v^2+2g*R(1-costhetha)..?
Correct! So know we can re-write the following equation;

F_x = \frac{mv^2}{r} = \frac{mv^2}{R\sin\theta}

as

F_x = \frac{m\left[ 4gR-2gR(1-\cos\theta)\right]}{R\sin\theta}

We can also re-write Fx as;

F_x = T\sin\theta

Hence, we can re-write our main equation as

T\sin\theta = \frac{m\left[ 4gR-2gR(1-\cos\theta)\right]}{R\sin\theta}

We also know that;

T\cos\theta = mg \Leftrightarrow T = \frac{mg}{\cos\theta}

And we can finally re-write our expression;

\frac{mg\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \frac{m\left[ 4gR-2gR(1-\cos\theta)\right]}{R\sin\theta}

Do you follow?
 
  • #63
yes..
 
  • #64
pinkyjoshi65 said:
yes..
So now it's your turn, solve for \cos\theta...
 
  • #65
ok i got a quadratic equation---8.35Cos^2thetha-14.7Costheta+7.35=0..When i used the Quadratic equation, i got a negative root...:S
 
  • #66
pinkyjoshi65 said:
ok i got a quadratic equation---8.35Cos^2thetha-14.7Costheta+7.35=0..When i used the Quadratic equation, i got a negative root...:S
Well I'll start you off and we'll see how you go; let's start by cancelling the mg's and the R's;

\frac{\cancel{mg}\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \frac{\cancel{m}\left[ 4\cancel{g}\cancel{R}-2\cancel{g}\cancel{R}(1-\cos\theta)\right]}{\cancel{R}\sin\theta}

Now that leaves us with;

\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \frac{4-2(1-\cos\theta)}{\sin\theta}

Expanding the numerator;

\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \frac{4-2+2\cos\theta}{\sin\theta}

Getting rid of the fraction on the LHS;

1 = \frac{2\cos\theta+2\cos^2\theta}{\sin^2\theta} = \frac{2\cos\theta+2\cos^2\theta}{1-\cos^2\theta}

Moving the denominator to the LHS;

1-\cos^2\theta = 2\cos\theta+2\cos^2\theta

Collecting terms;

3\cos^2\theta +2\cos\theta - 1 = 0

Can you go from here?
 
  • #67
by solving this i get the angle as 78 degrees, but the answer is 70 degrees.
 
  • #68
ohk..never mind i got it..!..thanks..:)
 

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