Forces in Accelerating Elevators

The video tutorial explains the forces acting on Nellie Newton, who is hanging by a rope in a stationary elevator. It discusses the equilibrium of forces, where tension equals weight, and how this changes when the elevator moves at constant velocity or accelerates. The tutorial also compares the scenario of Nellie standing in an accelerating elevator, highlighting the role of normal force. Finally, it poses a question about the effects of downward acceleration on support force.

What are the forces acting on Nellie when the elevator is at rest?

• No forces act on her

• Only her weight

• Only the tension in the rope

• Her weight and the tension in the rope

Why does the tension in the rope not change when the elevator moves at a constant velocity?

• Because the elevator is accelerating

• Because the forces are unbalanced

• Because the rope is elastic

• Because the system is in dynamic equilibrium

How does the tension in the rope change when the elevator accelerates upward?

• It becomes zero

• It remains the same

• It decreases

• It increases

What additional force is considered when the elevator accelerates upward?

• Centripetal force

• Inertial force

• Normal force

• Gravitational force

If Nellie is standing in the elevator, what replaces the tension in the rope?

• Frictional force

• Magnetic force

• Normal support force

• Air resistance

How does the support force change when Nellie is standing in an accelerating elevator?

• It becomes zero

• It decreases

• It remains the same

• It increases

What is the main difference in forces when Nellie is standing versus hanging in an accelerating elevator?

• The presence of air resistance

• The direction of acceleration

• The magnitude of gravitational force

• The type of support force

What happens to the support force if the elevator accelerates downward with the same magnitude?

• It increases

• It decreases

• It remains the same

• It becomes zero

What is the effect of downward acceleration on the forces acting on Nellie?

• The forces remain balanced

• The forces decrease

• The forces become unbalanced

• The forces increase

What question does the narrator leave the audience with regarding downward acceleration?

• How does the support force differ?

• How does the tension change?

• What is the new acceleration?

• What is the new velocity?