Answer to Question #141528 in Mechanics | Relativity for Yolande

Question

12 passengers per minute on average move on to an elevator (lift) which is rising steadily at 2m/s. Assuming the initial velocity of the passengers is zero, calculate the extra tension (force) due to the passengers on the belt round the elevator rollers. Average passenger mass = 60 kg.

Answer 1

Answer

Thrust force applied by man on lift can be given as

$F=-\frac{dm}{dt}v$

Mass of average person =60

And 12 persons per minute

So

$\frac{dm}{dt}=12\times60=720kg/minute\\=12kg/s$

So extra tension force

$F=12\times2=24N$