Final answer:
The tension force in an elevator moving upward can either be greater than the weight if the elevator is accelerating upward, equal to the weight if moving at a constant velocity, or less than the weight if accelerating downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an elevator is moving upward, the tension force can be greater than, equal to, or less than the weight of the objects within it, depending on the elevator's acceleration. If the elevator is accelerating upward, the tension force must be greater than the weight to provide the necessary upward acceleration. This is consistent with feeling heavier in an accelerating elevator. When the elevator reaches a constant upward velocity, the scale reading (and thus the tension force) will equal the weight, as there is no longer any acceleration (a = 0).
It's also important to note the different scenarios: If the elevator is accelerating downward, the tension force is less than the weight, and if the elevator is in free-fall (like when the cable is cut), the tension force is zero, making the occupants feel weightless.