Net acceleration, free body diagrams, velocity, force normal

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating net force, net acceleration, and normal force in a physics problem involving an elevator. The net force was calculated to be 506 N upwards, resulting in a net acceleration of 0.49 m/s² upwards. The normal force acting on a passenger was determined to be approximately 360 N upwards. Participants emphasized the importance of accurately representing forces in free body diagrams (FBDs) and isolating the mass in question to avoid confusion. Clarifications were made regarding the application of forces and their points of action, highlighting the need for precise diagrammatic representation.
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Homework Statement


upload_2016-3-29_20-22-38.png


Homework Equations


relevant equations are provided with each question below

The Attempt at a Solution


please check my solutions to ensure they are correct. thanks.
a) [/B]
upload_2016-3-29_20-21-57.png

b)

Calculate net force:

Fnet = FA + Ff + Fg

Fnet = (1.20 x 104 N [up]) + (1.40 x 103 N [down]) + (10094 N [down])

Fnet = (1.20 x 104 N [up]) – (1.40 x 103 N [up] + 10094 N [up])

Fnet = 506 N [up]

Calculate net acceleration:

Fnet = m a

a.net = Fnet /m

= 506 N [up] / 1030 kg

= 0.49 m/s2 [up]

c)
upload_2016-3-29_20-22-12.png
d)

Relevant Equation to solve for the force normal:

FN = mg + ma

FN = (35 kg) (9.8 N.kg [down]) + (35 kg) (0.49 m/s2 [up])

FN = 360.15 N [up]

The force normal acting on this passenger is approximately 360 N [up].

e)

Given information:

v1 = 0

a = 0.49 m/s2 [up]

t = 12.0 s

Unknown:

v2 =?

Equation:

v2 = v1 + a x total time

= 0 + (0.49 m/s2) x (12.0 s)

= 5.88 m/s [up]

The velocity is approximately 5.9 m/s [up]
 

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You always do nice diagrams... you mostly did good, I'll add some notes for tweaks and questions to help you think about things.

(a) that's not a fbd ... just draw a box, forces should be shown coming from their point of action.
Where two or more arrows must overlap, you can "explode" the diagram, say, using a dotted line to indicate where the forces act.

(b)You were careful to indicate direction for forces... good.
A shortcut is to write which direction is positive... ie "+ve = upwards" ... then you can just convert.
The 10^4 didnt come out.

It is best practise to do the algebra first... ie. F-W-f=(W/g)a : where W is weight, F is the applied force, f is friction, and g is the acceleration die to gravity. Then a = g(F-W-f)/W ... plug numbers in as magnitudes since direction is already in the realtion.

(c) you may have too many forces... the fbd should isolate the mass in question, so do not draw the elevator in. What are the forces just on the passenger?
Note: the passenger accelerates at the same rate as the whole elevator, so you can check your answer against what you got before.

(d) this equation should come from a free body diagram

(e) works fine... you can check by sketching the v-t graph.

Well done.
 
for c) are you saying the diagram is incorrect, regarding the force normal, gravity force, and force applied. the person accelerates at the same rate as the elevator (Fapplied), there is also gravity acting downwards on the person, and then the normal force that supports the weight of the person. You mentioned that i have too many forces, what does this imply?
 
By your numbers: a = (FA+FN+Fg)/m ... so what is this value using:
FA=12000N, FN=360.15N, Fg= -343N, and m=35kg (your figures)?
Compare this value with that obtained for the entire elevator in part (a)

Consider: Where on the person does the "force applied" act?
 
Last edited:
are you referring to the direction that the force applied acts on the person. So wouldn't that be up, because the elevator is going up.
 
so for c) is this how the fbd goes:
upload_2016-3-31_14-30-30.png
i used the same forces, but just took out the elevator to isolate the passenger ?
 
Please answer guiding questions - vis:
By your numbers: a = (FA+FN+Fg)/m ... so what is this value using:
FA=12000N, FN=360.15N, Fg= -343N, and m=35kg (your figures)?
Compare this value with that obtained for the entire elevator in part (a)
are you referring to the direction that the force applied acts on the person. So wouldn't that be up, because the elevator is going up.
No... "up" would be a direction. I have asked about a location.
eg. If I pull on your hand, the location where the force of me pulling on you is acting is "your hand".

For the lift: the applied force comes via a cable attached to the roof - so the location is "on the roof".
However - there is no cable attached to the person.

I used the same forces, but just took out the elevator to isolate the passenger ?
Isolating the passenger is good - but you should draw the arrows as forces that are attached to the passenger ... i.e. if the passenger had a rope pulling on each arm, you'd show an arrow coming from each arm. The person's weight acts from their centre of mass, for eg. and points down.
There must be an upwards force so where does it act? Does it pull the passenger up by the hair for example?
 
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