The cable holding an elevator would break if the tension in it exceeds 25000N. If the 480 kg elevator carries a load limit of 24 passengers (ave mass is 70kg per person) what is the max possible upward acceleration of the elevator without breaking cable?

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-14T17:01:13

#a = 1.76 ms^-2#

The resultant upwards force on the lift is linked to its acceleration through Newton's 2nd law:

#"Tension - weight= ma"#

In this case, total mass is

#480+24*70=2160kg#
So
#weight =mg=2160*.9.81=21,190N

at breaking point:

#25000 - 21190=2160*a#

Solving gives #a = 1.76 ms^-2#