Finding acceleration with two perpendicular velocities

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The discussion centers on determining the acceleration of a second object moving at a constant velocity perpendicular to a first object with constant velocity. Participants clarify that since both objects maintain constant velocities, there is no acceleration present in the scenario as described. The mention of centripetal force and circular motion is deemed irrelevant without a change in speed or direction. A typo in the original question led to confusion regarding the mention of a "dog," which was corrected to "object." Ultimately, the consensus is that the acceleration is zero based on the problem's parameters.
OtterFace
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Homework Statement


There are two moving objects. The velocity of the first object, u, is constant. The second object maintains a constant velocity, v, perpendicular to u. The distance between the two objects is x. What is the second object's acceleration, a, in that moment?

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm unsure of how to really begin and if I'm on the right track but since the acceleration is perpendicular to u, there would be a centripetal force, because when acceleration is perpendicular to velocity there is circular motion. Would a=v2/r show the relationship?

Edit: Sorry about the typo in the title. It should say "two"
 
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OtterFace said:
There are two moving objects. The velocity of the first object, u, is constant. The second object maintains a constant velocity, v, perpendicular to u. The distance between the two objects is x. What is the dog's acceleration, a, in that moment?
What dog? And what acceleration? Nothing in what was described before the question involves either a dog or an acceleration.
 
andrewkirk said:
What dog? And what acceleration? Nothing in what was described before the question involves either a dog or an acceleration.
Sorry meant to put object instead. That's how the problem asks about the acceleration. It doesn't add any other information
 
There is no acceleration in the problem as stated, since both objects have constant velocities. So the answer to the question as put is zero. I suspect that they meant to ask a different question though, involving acceleration, but messed it up (or perhaps the above is not a verbatim rendering of the question?). What that question was supposed to be, who knows?
 
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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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