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SPH3U9 Elevator Lab

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11 views2 pages

SPH3U9 Elevator Lab

Uploaded by

p0170208
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Names__________________ Total Mark /35

PHYSICS LAB: DETERMINATION OF THE ACCELERATION OF AN ELEVATOR

INTRODUCTION:
For an object to accelerate, there must be a net force acting on it. We know that the direction of the
acceleration will be in the same direction as the direction of the net force. The equation for Newton’s 2nd law is

F = ma or a = F/m

In this investigation, you will be looking at the acceleration of an elevator when it starts and stops. Since
acceleration and force are vector quantities, we must distinguish between up and down. Our sign convention
will be positive for up and negative for down. Therefore, the force of gravity, F g is negative and the force
exerted by the elevator, FN is positive. FN is your “apparent weight” measured by the bathroom scale you will be
standing on while the elevator accelerates. Since there are only 2 forces acting on you in the elevator, the net
force, F is just the vector sum of the 2 forces.

FN (+) F = FN + Fg

If acceleration is upwards, F = (+)


If acceleration is downwards, F = (-)

Fg (-)

PREDICTION: Have you ever ridden in an elevator? If not, you will! Think about how you feel when you are in
an elevator, does it feel like your weight changes? Fill out the following chart and predict whether or not your
weight will increase, decrease, or stay the same. [3 marks]
Going up Going down
Starting
In the middle

Stopping

OBJECTIVE : Determine the acceleration of an elevator using a bathroom scale. This task involves you
locating an elevator in a building, shopping mall, office/medical building, etc., in your community that
can travel up and down a few number (2+) of floors. Be aware of your surroundings when working in
public spaces and mindful of other people who need to use the elevator.

MATERIALS: Bathroom scale from home, elevator, you and your group/partner (max. 3 people)

PROCEDURE:
1. Determine your actual weight by standing on a bathroom scale. If the scale is graduated in pounds,
convert pounds to kilograms by using the conversion 2.2 LB = 1 kg. Then, calculate the weight in
Newtons by multiplying your mass in kg by 9.8 N/kg. Include the steps to your unit conversion and
calculation. What equation is this that you are using?? [2 marks]

Weight: __________lbs. __________ kg ____________ N


Names__________________ Total Mark /35
2. While standing on the scale in an elevator, press the up button. Have a group member or yourself
ready to read the maximum weight attained just as the elevator accelerates. Convert to Newtons.
Record the data in the up column.

3. When the elevator approaches the next stop, have your group member or you read the scale just as the
elevator decelerates to a stop. Determine the minimum weight attained while decelerating. Convert to
Newtons. Record the data in the up/stop column.

4. While standing on the scale in an elevator, press the down button. Have someone ready to read the
minimum weight attained just as the elevator accelerates.

5. When the elevator approaches the next stop, someone read the scale just as the elevator decelerates
to a stop. Determine the maximum weight attained while decelerating. Convert to Newtons. Record the
data in the down/stop column.

***Be sure to express forces and weights with the appropriate units and signs, + for up and - for down***

DATA AND CALCULATIONS [15 marks; 0.5 marks per blank]


UP/START UP/MIDDLE UP/STOP DOWN/START DOWN/MIDDLE DOWN/STOP
1) Apparent
Weight (LB)

2) Mass (kg)

3) Apparent
Weight (N)

4) Fnet or
ΣF(N)

5) Acceleration
= ΣF/m

CONCLUSIONS (answer the questions below, typed out on a separate sheet of paper):
1. How does the acceleration you experience in an elevator compare to that you might experience in a car
that accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in 7 seconds? Remember to express accelerations in m/s2. [2
marks, T/I]
2. Identify those places in the ride when the scale reads a “heavier” value. In which direction is the
acceleration? [2 marks, T/I]
3. Identify those places in the ride when the scale reads a “lighter” value. In which direction is the
acceleration? [2 marks, T/I]
4. Identify those places in the ride when the scale reads the “true weight” of the person. Are the forces
balanced or unbalanced? Explain. [3 marks, T/I]
5. What would the scale read if you were accelerating downward at 9.8 m/s2? (include FBD!!!!) [2 marks,
T/I]
6. What would the scale read if you were acceleration upward at 9.8 m/s2? (include FBD!!!!) [2 marks, T/I]
7. Why should you never jump in an elevator? Explain using physics terminology. [2 marks, T/I]

Notes:
*You may include a sample calculation for each column of the table above.
*Submit your typed out work and neatly written calculations via D2L on Wednesday, April. 23 rd.

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