A worker stands on a spring scale on the floor of an elevator that is accelerating…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion
Problem
A 65kg worker stands on a spring scale on the floor of an elevator that is accelerating downward at 2.0m/s2. The worker holds a 10kg crate by means of a light rope that passes over a small frictionless pulley attached to the elevator ceiling, as shown in a schematic the worker drew before entry. The worker pulls downward on the free end of the rope so that the crate remains at rest relative to the elevator interior.
(a) Draw separate free-body diagrams for the worker and for the crate while the elevator is accelerating downward.
(b) Derive an expression for the tension T in the rope in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants.
(c) Calculate the numerical value of the tension T.
(d) Determine the reading of the scale on which the worker is standing.
(e) If the worker gradually increases the downward pull so that the crate begins to accelerate upward relative to the elevator at 0.50m/s2, calculate the new scale reading.