Typical Forces Acting on a Body - Conceptual Example 5.3-1

An elevator is being lifted up an elevator shaft by a steel cable as shown. All frictional effects are negligible.

In the situation where the elevator is being lifted at a constant speed, the upward force of the cable is greater than, equal to, or smaller than the downward force due to gravity.

In the situation where the elevator is accelerating upward, the upward force of the cable is greater than, equal to, or smaller than the downward force due to gravity.