A 450 kg fully loaded elevator is moving downward.

Question

The tension in the cable is 3500 N. What is the elevator's acceleration?

Answer 1

mg - 3500 = ma

a = g - 3500/450 = 2.02 m/s^2 downward

Answer 2

The approach to this problem uses Newton's Laws and the main step is summing all the forces in the system.  Since forces are only in the vertical direction and that the elevator is in motion then it follows:

 

Sum of Forces (y axis) = Force of Tension + Force due to Gravity = ma (because we are in motion)

 

Force of Tension is +3500N (choosing up as positive)

 

Force due to Gravity = 450kg * (-9.8m/s) = -4410N

 

+3500N - 4410N = ma = 450 * a => solving for a = -910N / 450kg = -2.02m/s^2

 

So the elevator is moving downward at 2.02 m/s^2