Next time you're in an elevator...

Post date: Sep 8, 2014 3:49:56 PM

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were in an elevator and the cable broke?

For most modern elevators, not much. Elevators have multiple cables that are all capable of holding the elevator weight so that if one broke, there would be several others that could take its place.

But what if ALL the cables broke?

There is a part called the governor that is activated when the elevator's speed gets too high and clamps the elevator onto the tracks to slow the elevator or will deploy metal rods that insert into the tracks.

But what if the GOVERNOR fails?

Elevators have counterweights that prevent rapid acceleration.

But what if the COUNTERWEIGHTS fail?

The tight fit of the elevator in the shaft will cause air resistance that would slow down the elevator.

But what if the AIR PRESSURE isn't enough?

The last line of defense is a shock absorber the most elevators land on when they reach their lowest stop.

Lastly, the myth that you could jump into the air at the last second to prevent injury is false. If the car was traveling at 20 m/s (45 mph), you would also have to jump that fast to be stopped relative to the ground. This would mean you would jump 20 meters (67 ft!) high in one second, sending you crashing into the roof of the elevator instead of the floor.