freepancakes said:would you use F=ma and then find the diffrence and get a "new" acceleration for gravity which would be greater?
A tension elevator on a scale problem is a physics problem that involves calculating the tension force in a string or cable that is attached to an elevator and supporting its weight. This type of problem typically requires knowledge of concepts such as Newton's laws of motion and free body diagrams.
To solve a tension elevator on a scale problem, you first need to draw a free body diagram of the elevator and label all the forces acting on it. Then, you can use Newton's second law (F=ma) to calculate the net force on the elevator in the vertical direction. Finally, you can set this net force equal to the weight of the elevator and solve for the tension force in the string or cable.
One common mistake is forgetting to include the weight of the elevator in the free body diagram. Another mistake is using the incorrect sign for the tension force. It's important to remember that the tension force will always be in the opposite direction of the weight of the elevator.
The mass of the elevator does not directly affect the tension force. However, it does affect the weight of the elevator, which is the force that the tension force must balance. So, a heavier elevator will result in a larger tension force in the string or cable.
No, a negative tension force does not make physical sense in this type of problem. The tension force is always directed away from the object it is attached to, so it will always be a positive value. If you get a negative tension force in your calculation, it likely means you made a mistake in setting up your equations.