An elevator suspended by a vertical cable is moving downward but slowing down. The tension in the cable must be
A) less than than the weight of the elevator.
B) equal to the weight of the elevator.
C) greater than the weight of the elevator.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an elevator is moving downward but slowing down, it means there is an upward acceleration. For the elevator to decelerate, the net force must be upward. Since tension is the force exerted by the cable, for there to be a net upward force, the tension must be greater than the weight of the elevator. This is why the tension in the cable must be greater than the weight of the elevator.

An Elevator Suspended by a Vertical Cable Is Moving Downward