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AP Physics 1 · Unit 2, Part 1 · Forces

Elevators Practice Problems

Connect scale readings and rope tension to elevator acceleration. Analyze upward and downward trips, braking, free fall, contact loss, and several masses supported inside a moving lift.

12 questions6 conceptual · 6 calculation

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Simulation scene from the Elevators lesson.Open interactive practice
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What you’ll practice

Explain what changes the scale reading

Interpret apparent weight

Identify the normal force measured by a scale. Compare rest and constant velocity with upward or downward acceleration.

Read the direction of acceleration

Work out what happens when a rising elevator slows or a descending elevator brakes. Separate the direction of travel from the velocity change.

Calculate support and cable forces

Solve for normal force, tension, or acceleration in a rider, case, basket, or elevator car. Examine contact between stacked masses and the limit where support ends.

A question from this set

What does the scale measure?

A rider stands on a force scale in an elevator moving upward at constant velocity. Which force is the scale reading?

  • The gravitational force on the rider in every situation.
  • The upward normal force exerted by the scale on the rider.
  • The net force on the rider.
Try it in the practice set
What does the scale measure?A rider stands on a force scale in an elevator moving upward at constant velocity. Which force is the scale reading?ScaleConstant velocity ↑
The rider and scale move upward together at constant velocity.

Key ideas

The scale reports an interaction force

Normal force is apparent weight

A scale measures the support force on the rider. Gravitational force remains mg near Earth, while the support force can change with acceleration.

Choose an upward or downward convention

With upward positive, N − mg = ma for a rider supported by the floor. Apply a separate force equation to the whole car when finding cable tension.

See the physics

Compare the trip with the force reading

After checking your response, follow the elevator and rider together. Compare normal force and weight, inspect cable tension, and use the free-fall or contact-loss trials to test the support limit.

Use a hint for a starting point or open a worked solution to follow the reasoning. Your progress saves in this browser, so you can return to unfinished questions.

Ready for elevators?

Begin with a conceptual question, then work through the calculations.

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