Acceleration and relativity question

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The discussion centers on the necessity of considering relativity when calculating the acceleration of a particle under a constant force parallel to its velocity. It highlights that relativity is typically relevant only at speeds approaching a significant fraction of the speed of light. Participants question whether relativity is essential in this scenario, suggesting that the problem may not inherently require it. The mention of a modern physics textbook implies that the inclusion of relativity might be a pedagogical choice rather than a strict necessity. Ultimately, the conversation reflects on the context and conditions under which relativity should be applied in physics problems.
asdf1
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In this question, "Find the acceleration of a particle of mass m and velocity v when it is acted upon by the constant force F, where F is parallel to v."
Why do you need to consider relativity?
 
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This question is kind of equivalent to "find Newton's second law" taking relativity under consideration.

hint: F = dp/dt
 
asdf1 said:
In this question, "Find the acceleration of a particle of mass m and velocity v when it is acted upon by the constant force F, where F is parallel to v."
Why do you need to consider relativity?

Who told you you needed to consider relativity? Relativity only comes into play when the speed is a large fraction of the speed of light. There doesn't appear to be anything in the problem you quoted to indicate that. Was there more to the problem? It might well be that the answer to the question "Why do you need to consider relativity?" is "Because the problem (or your teacher) said to!"
 
well, the problem was an example in a modern physics book I'm looking at,
but my first reaction was the same as quasar987~
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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