Get Homework Help: Solving Equations and Formulas

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The discussion focuses on understanding Newton's laws of motion, particularly how they relate to solving equations involving forces. Newton's second law, F=ma, explains that acceleration is proportional to net force, while the third law highlights that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The first law states that an object will maintain its state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. The conversation emphasizes the importance of grasping these fundamental principles to solve related homework problems effectively. Resources are suggested for further clarification on these concepts.
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Homework Statement


Can someone help me?


Homework Equations


Fg=mg
fnet=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


.
 
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Well, first, do you know what the laws ARE? If you do, it's pretty hard to not know the difference between them.
 


Newtons second law is the must common to see and is explained below:
F=ma which just states that the acceleration in a given direction is proportional to the NET force in that direction. If two or more forces act in a given direction find the resultant and that is the net force.

Newtons third law is also encountered and relates to interactions:
It states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Really this means that forces are equal and opposite at a boundary. If I push a block i will indeed accelerated it but that block pushes back on me with the same force. This is felt as resistance, the heavier the block I try to push the more force I feel.

Newtons first law just states that a object with mass will maintain its path (and velocity) until a force is applied on it. This applied force causes an acceleration. An acceleration is equal to (change in velocity)/(change in time). Likewise if there is no change in velocity there is no force acting on the object.
 
Newton's first law is 'all object will continue to be in their state of rest or of uniform speed in a straight line unless they are compelled to change that state by forces acting on them.'

Second law is 'the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and is inversely proportional to its mass. The direction of the acceleration is in the direction of the applied net force.'

The third law is 'Whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.'

And this website might help you to understand Newton's law.
http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Newton/law1.html
 
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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