Finding acceleration with two perpendicular velocities

  • #1
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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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Answers and Replies

  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
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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