Engineering & MachinesMechanical Engineering
The Elevator Counterweight
A hidden weight means the motor barely lifts anything
An elevator full of people can weigh as much as a pickup truck. How does a modest motor haul it up dozens of floors?
You'll find out
- What hides in the shaft beside the car
- Why the motor barely works
- How an elevator can make electricity
Why it matters
It's a trick you ride every week, and it's why tall buildings don't need giant motors.
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