Question
An elevator, hanging from a single cable, moves downward andis slowing. Friction and air resistance are negligible. 1- Is the tension in the cable greater than,less than, or equal to the gravitational force on theelevator? An elevator, hanging from a single cable, moves downward andis slowing. Friction and air resistance are negligible. 1- Is the tension in the cable greater than,less than, or equal to the gravitational force on theelevator? Is the tension in the cable greater than,less than, or equal to the gravitational force on theelevator?
Explanation / Answer
let the tension of the cable be T when the elevator move down, we have: mg-T = ma T = mg-ma = m(g-a) so the tension is less than the gravitational force.