A 1500kg elevator is moving downward, and its speed is increasing at the rate of 1.3m/s per second. Find the tension in the supporting cable?
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(9.8 - 1.3) = net acceleration of 8.5m/sec^2 down.
Force = (mass x acceleration), = 1500 x 8.5, = 12,750N. tension.
Force = (mass x acceleration), = 1500 x 8.5, = 12,750N. tension.
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By saying that it's speed is increasing at 1.3 m/s, I am assuming you mean 1.3 m/s^2, or else it would not be increasing in speed. If it is at a constant velocity, it is more complicated, and my solution will not be correct. Assuming my assumption is correct, here is the answer you are looking for.
We first need to make the assumptions that there are no frictional forces, and the cable is massless.
In freefall the elavator is going to be falling with a force of 14751 Newtons (1500kg x 9.81 meters per second squared (earth's gravity)), but instead is falling with a force of 1950 Newtons. The tension in the cable will be equal to the difference between the gravitational force and the true force (the sum of all forces is equal to the resulting force). This means that the cable will have a tension of 12801 Newtons. (The total forces being held back by the cable.)
12801 N
We first need to make the assumptions that there are no frictional forces, and the cable is massless.
In freefall the elavator is going to be falling with a force of 14751 Newtons (1500kg x 9.81 meters per second squared (earth's gravity)), but instead is falling with a force of 1950 Newtons. The tension in the cable will be equal to the difference between the gravitational force and the true force (the sum of all forces is equal to the resulting force). This means that the cable will have a tension of 12801 Newtons. (The total forces being held back by the cable.)
12801 N