Why might an elevator cable break during acceleration when lifting a lighter load than it normally supports at rest or at constant velocity?


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In this acceleration range, the rope tension can increase in the range of 20% to 30% for typical acceleration values and according to equation (1). For this reason, the cable may break during acceleration even though it is carrying a lower load.

How does elevator works based on physics?

When the elevator is going up, though, you are accelerating, which adds more force to the scale and increases your apparent weight. When the elevator is going down, the same is true, but the acceleration is negative, subtracting force from the scale and decreasing your apparent weight.

What will be the effect if the cable is cut and the lift falls freely?

b) What will be the effect if the cable is cut and the lift falls freely? Answer: a) Weight decreases.

What is the tension in the elevator cable causes the elevator?

Tension in the cables of an elevator Tension is a pulling force that acts in one dimension along the axis of the cables opposite to the direction of the force applied. In the case of an elevator, the pulling force in the cables is provided by the combined weight of the elevator box and the person traveling inside it.

How do you solve an elevator problem in physics?

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What are the common problems in lift?

  • Worn-Out Sheaves. The sheave is the pulley connected to the elevator hoist ropes.
  • Contaminated Lubrication and Oil.
  • Bearing Breakdowns.
  • Power and Power Supply Failures.

Why does the weight of a body in the lift become zero when its cable breaks?

Solution : If the cable of the lift breaks suddenly the weight of the man would become zero because the system would all begin to accelerate downward due to the force of gravity. All objects in the freefall accelerate downward with the same magnitude.

What forces act on an elevator?

The elevator’s free-body diagram has three forces, the force of gravity, a downward normal force from you, and an upward force from the tension in the cable holding the elevator. The combined system of you + elevator has two forces, a combined force of gravity and the tension in the cable.

How do you find the tension in an elevator cable?

When lift goes upward, then total tension equals to the sum of weight and force due to acceleration. When lift goes downward, then total tension equals the difference of weight and force due to acceleration.

What happens when lift goes up?

So, when a lift accelerates upwards, the apparent weight of the person inside it increases. So, when a lift accelerates downwards, the apparent weight of the person inside it decreases. (iv) When the lift falls freely. If the supporting cable of the lift breaks, the lift falls freely under gravity.

When a lift is going up with uniform acceleration?

When a lift is going up with uniform acceleration, the apparent weight of a person is W1. When the lift is stationary, his apparent weight is W2. When the lift falls freely his apparent weight is W3.

When an elevator is moving downward with increasing speed the apparent weight of a body inside elevator?

The apparent weight of a body in an elevator moving with some downward acceleration is less than the actual weight of a body.

How does the tension force of the cable on the elevator compare to the force of gravity on the elevator?

To keep the elevator from accelerating upward or downward (basically to keep it at a constant velocity), the tension force MUST be equal to the force of gravity of the elevator. In essence, the cable is providing an upward acceleration of 9.8 m/s2 to balance out the downward acceleration of gravity.

Why does normal force change in an elevator?

This requires an increased normal force. When the elevator is accelerating downwards, it does not need to oppose gravity as much and so the normal force decreases to provide a net downward force from gravity. No changing mass is needed.

What two forces act on you while you are in a moving elevator when are these forces of equal magnitude and when are they not?

The two forces acting on a person when he is moving in an elevator is the force of gravity and the normal force by the elevator. The two forces are of equal magnitude, and the elevator is static or moving with constant velocity. Their magnitudes are unequal when the elevator is accelerating upward or downward.

How do you calculate work done by an elevator?

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What is the net force using Newton’s 2nd law while the elevator is accelerating upward?

Since your acceleration is 2 m/s2 upward, Newton’s Second Law says that there must be a net force pushing you upward, and the net force has a magnitude Fnet = ma. So the net force on you, Fnet = (50 kg)(2 m/s2) = 100 Newtons (upward).

What is the formula of tension in physics?

Solution: We know that the force of tension is calculated using the formula T = mg + ma.

What is lift breakdown?

In the event a lift breakdown occurs, arrangements for the release of people trapped inside include the following: Suitable communications systems within the lift so that a person trapped inside can raise an alarm. Emergency lighting within the lift car must be working properly.

Why do lifts break down?

The most common cause of lift breakdowns is from the doors failing to open or close. The design of the lift restricts its use; always use it correctly. Educating users is fundamental for maintaining your lift. Implement daily checks to minimise lift breakdowns.

Why do elevators malfunction?

Most of these accidents are reportedly caused by elevator door malfunction, carriage misalignment with floors and passenger safety vulnerabilities. Half of all passenger deaths in elevators not used in work, such as in apartment buildings, are attributed to falls in the elevator shaft.

What happens to the weight of a body in a lift which has a net upward?

Detailed Solution. So, when a lift accelerates upwards, the apparent weight of the person inside it increases. So, when a lift accelerates downwards, the apparent weight of the person inside it decreases.

What is the reaction between a man and a lift if the lift is falling freely?

For a freely falling lift, its accelerations will be g. i.e. the man feels weightless so, for freely falling, the acceleration of the body does not depend on the man. Similarly, the ball will have acceleration = acceleration due to gravity.

What is the apparent weight of the person when the elevator is falling freely?

Thus, the apparent weight of the man becomes zero. This is because both the man and the lift are moving downwards with same acceleration ‘g’ and so there are no forces of action and reaction between the person and the lift. Hence a person develops a feeling of weightlessness when he falls freely under gravity.

How does Newton’s second law apply to elevators?

This is an application of Newton’s second law to the forces felt in an elevator. If you are accelerating upward you feel heavier, and if you are accelerating downward you feel lighter. If the elevator cable broke, you would feel weightless since both you and the elevator would be accelerating downward at the same rate.

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