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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: MrHappy0 on September 27, 2011, 08:32:34 PM

Title: Spring in accelerating elevator.
Post by: MrHappy0 on September 27, 2011, 08:32:34 PM

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Three masses m1 = 3.1 kg, m2 = 9.3 kg and m3 = 6.2 kg hang from three identical springs in a motionless elevator. the elevator is moving downward with a velocity of v = -2.3 m/s but accelerating upward with an acceleration of a = 4.8 m/s2. (Note: an upward acceleration when the elevator is moving down means the elevator is slowing down.) What is the force the bottom spring exerts on the bottom mass?

2. Relevant equations

f=-kx

3. The attempt at a solution

Some of my confusion lies with k. Since k is a constant is it the same value as if the elevator was motionless or does k change when the elevator moves?

Title: Re: Spring in accelerating elevator.
Post by: MrHappy0 on September 27, 2011, 08:41:04 PM

I believe I just solved it to be 90.582N..

Title: Re: Spring in accelerating elevator.
Post by: Borek on September 28, 2011, 05:06:05 AM

Quote from: Mrshappy0 on September 27, 2011, 08:32:34 PM

Since k is a constant is it the same value as if the elevator was motionless or does k change when the elevator moves?

Constant is a constant, doesn't matter if elevator moves or not.