Work - Acceleration of an elevator

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the work needed to accelerate a 1300 kg elevator from rest to a velocity of 1.5 m/s over 2 seconds, factoring in a frictional force of 637.65 N. The calculated work for acceleration is 21,548.5 Joules, which includes both the kinetic energy change and the work done against friction. There is a debate about whether the gravitational potential energy change should be included in the calculations, particularly for the second part of the problem involving constant velocity. The final calculations confirm that the initial work estimate remains consistent despite concerns about its magnitude. The importance of accurately considering all energy forms, including kinetic and potential energy, is emphasized in the discussion.
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Homework Statement



An elevator with 1300 kg accrlerate from 0 m*s^-1 to 1.5 m*s^-1 in 2 s. After that, he drives further with a constant velocity of 1.5 m*s^-1. One must add a frictional force of 637,65 N.

The questions are:
1. How much work is needed to accelerate the elevator?
2. How much work is needed for the driving of the elevator with a constant velocity in dependence of the height?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


1.
w=m*a*s+637,65 N*s
a=v*t^-1+9,81 m*s^-2=1.5 m*s^-1*(2 s)^-1+9,81 m*s^-2=10,56 m*s^-2
s=0,5*a*t^2=0,5*1.5 m*s^-1*(2 s)^-1*(2 s)^2=1.5 m
w=1300 kg*10,56 m*s^-2*1.5 m+637,65 N*1.5 m=21548.5 Joule

2.
w=m*a*s+637.65*s
w=1300 kg*9,81 m*s^-2*s+637.65*s

I guess 21548 Joule is a way too many for just the acceleration of an elevator, isn't it?
 
Last edited:
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The equations are correct, but the acceleration derivation is incorrect.

a=v*t^-1+9,81 m*s^-2=1.5 m*s^-1*(2 s)^-1+9,81 m*s^-2=10,56 m*s^-2

The work equivalent to the change in kinetic energy. The elevator starts at rest (KE = 0) and accelerates to a new KE (0.5* m * v2).

The distance of 1.5m is correct, and the contribution of friction (637,65 N*1.5 m) is correct.

In the first part, does one need to consider the change in graviational potential energy, mgh or mgs, where s is the vertical distance traveled (= h)? This is considered in the second part.

Work/energy = force * distance, assuming constant force, otherwise if F = F(x), then one must integrate \int{F(x)}\,dx
 
Astronuc said:
The work equivalent to the change in kinetic energy. The elevator starts at rest (KE = 0) and accelerates to a new KE (0.5* m * v2).
Astronuc said:
need to consider the change in graviational potential energy, mgh or mgs,


w=∆e[kyn]+∆e[pot]+637,65 N*1.5 m=0.5*m*v2-0+m*g*s-0+637,65 N*1.5 m=0.5*1300 kg*1.5 m/s2+1300 kg*9.81 m/s2*1.5 m+637,65 N*1.5 m=21548,475 Joule

In the end, I get the same result. Do I made any fault?
 
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