The suspension cable of a 1,000 kg elevator snaps, sending the elevator moving downward through its shaft. The emergency brakes of the elevator stop the elevator shortly before it reaches the bottom of the shaft. If the elevator fell a distance of 100 m starting from rest, the heat that the brakes must dissipate to bring the elevator safely to rest is (A) 100 J (B) 1,000 J (C) 10,000 J (D) 100,000 J (E) 1,000,000 J

option (E) 1,000,000 J

Explanation:

Given:

Mass of the suspension cable, m = 1,000 kg

Distance, h = 100 m

Now,

from the work energy theorem

Work done by the gravity = Work done by brake

or

mgh = Work done by brake

where, g is the acceleration due to the gravity = 10 m/s²

or

Work done by brake = 1000 * 10 * 100

or

Work done by brake = 1,000,000 J

this work done is the release of heat in the brakes

Hence, the correct answer is option (E) 1,000,000 J