Apparent Force on an Elevator

Apparent Force on an Elevator

The purpose of this lab was to observe and then calculate the acceleration (change in velocity/ change in time)of an elevator using apparent force (A force introduced in a relative coordinate system in order that Newton laws of motion be satisfied in this system) applied on a body . This was done by having three students stand on electrical scale that measured in Newtons, and observing the weight change when the elevator accelerated. Each student was measure twice going for two trips going up and going down. The weights were than averaged and Apparent force. The following was then recorded:

Subjects Weight (N) Apparent up 1 (N) Up 2 (N) Apperent down 1(N) Down 2 (N)

Adam B. 855 927 922 816 821

Anthony M. 725 839 788 692 672

Adam M. 860 912 929 802 825

*the weight in the elevator was kept constant for all three trials*

The observations were then averaged by adding the two similar direction pieces of data and then dividing the sum by two. The averages where calculated to be he following :

Subjects Avg. Up (N) Avg. Down (N)

Adam B. 924 818

Anthony M. 814 682

Adam M. 920 814

By using this data, you may calculate the acceleration of the elevator my using the formula:

Fapparent= Fg+ Fa for upwards acceleration

Adam B.-(924N)= (855N) + (87kg) a

.79 m / s2

Fapparent=Fg- Fa for downwards acceleration

Adam B.-(818N)= (855N)- (87kg)a

-.42 m / s2

The rest of the group was also calculated:

Sub. Fa=Fg+ Fa (m /