(a) Calculate the work done on a 1500-kg elevator car by its cable to lift it 40.0 m at constant speed, assuming friction averages 100 N. (b) What is the work done on the elevator car by the gravitational force in this process? (c) What is the total work done on the elevator car?

Solution:

The work W that a force F does on an object is the product of the magnitude F of the force, times the magnitude d of the displacement, times the cosine of the angle \theta between them. In symbols,

W=Fd \cos \theta

Part A

The force in the cable is equal to the combined effect of the weight of the elevator and the friction that opposes the motion. That is

\begin{align*}
F & = mg + f \\
F & = \left( 1500\ \text{kg} \right)\left( 9.80\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)+100\ \text{N} \\
F & = 14800\ \text{N}
\end{align*}

This force in the cable is directed upward. The displacement is also upward, making the angle between the two quantities equal to zero. Thus, \theta = 0.

Substituting these values in the equation, the work done by the cable is

\begin{align*}
W & = Fd \cos \theta \\
W & = \left( 14\ 800\ \text{N} \right)\left( 40.0\ \text{m} \right) \cos 0^\circ \\
W & = 592\ 000\ \text{J} \\
W & = 5.92 \times 10^{5} \ \text{J} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

Part B

The force due to gravity is equal to the weight of the elevator alone. That is

\begin{align*}
\text{Weight} & = mg \\
 & = \left( 1\ 500\ \text{kg} \right)\left( 9.80\ \text{m/s}^2 \right) \\
 & = 14\ 700\ \text{N}
\end{align*}

This force is directed downward, whereas the displacement is directed upward. Therefore, the angle \theta between the two quantities is \theta = 180^\circ.

Substituting these values in the formula for work, we have

\begin{align*}
W & = Fd \cos \theta \\
W & = \left( 14\ 700\ \text{N} \right)\left( 40.0\ \text{m} \right) \cos 180^\circ \\
W & = -588\ 000\ \text{J} \\
W & = -5.88 \times 10^{5}\ \text{J} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

Part C

Since the elevator is moving at a constant speed, it is in equilibrium. This means that the net external force experience by the elevator is zero. Therefore, the total work done on the elevator car is

W_{T} = 0\ \text{J} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer}  \right)