Elevators don't travel at the same rate during their trips because they have to accelerate to full speed initially then decelerate at the end. You can estimate the average velocity, however, if you know how far the elevator has to travel and how long it takes to traverse that distance. Typically, you can't actually go inside the building and measure the height of each floor -- it wouldn't be practical to do so.
- Pencil
- Paper
- Calculator
- Stopwatch
The number you have calculated is only an estimate and should not be treated as a precise figure.
Count the number of stories in the building and subtract one, since the bottom of the elevator will travel all the way to the bottom of the top floor. Enter the number of stories into the building height calculator at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat website. This will give you an approximate height. Please keep in mind that this number is certainly not exact, but it will suffice to get a rough idea of the elevator's speed.
Take the elevator all the way to the top floor of the building. On the way, time how long it takes to reach the top using your stopwatch. Remember to start your stopwatch once the elevator starts to move, not when the doors close, and stop your stopwatch once the elevator stops moving, not once the doors open.
Divide the height you calculated by the time it took the elevator to travel the distance, and you'll have a rough estimate of the speed of your elevator.
Things You'll Need
Tips
References
Tips
- The number you have calculated is only an estimate and should not be treated as a precise figure.
About the Author
Based in San Diego, John Brennan has been writing about science and the environment since 2006. His articles have appeared in "Plenty," "San Diego Reader," "Santa Barbara Independent" and "East Bay Monthly." Brennan holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of California, San Diego.
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