Final answer:
The tension in the cable supporting the elevator can be calculated using Newton's second law. The tension is determined by the elevator's mass and the acceleration it experiences. In this case, the tension is 19,932 N.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tension in the cable supporting the elevator can be calculated using Newton's second law, which states that the net force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. In this case, the elevator has a mass of 1700 kg and accelerates upward from rest at a rate of 1.20 m/s² for 1.50 s. The acceleration can be converted to m/s² by multiplying it by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²).
Using the formula F = ma, we can calculate the tension in the cable as:
F = (1700 kg) * (1.20 m/s² * 9.8 m/s²) = 19,932 N
Therefore, the tension in the cable supporting the elevator is 19,932 N.