The Force components acting on an object

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The discussion focuses on calculating the x and y components of acceleration for a 1.4 kg object under the influence of forces. A user initially attempted to add the forces in both directions and divide by 1.4 but arrived at an incorrect value of 4.285. Other participants suggested verifying the calculation steps, ensuring correct sign usage, rounding to appropriate significant figures, and including units in the final answer. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity in calculations and following proper physics principles. Accurate calculations are crucial for determining the correct components of acceleration.
Cb8
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Homework Statement
The forces in (Figure 1) act on a 1.4 kg object.

A) What is the value of ax, the x-component of the object's acceleration?

B) What is the value of ay, the y-component of the object's acceleration?
Relevant Equations
F= M•a
Another user suggested adding the forces in the x and y direction then dividing by 1.4.
Doing this for A) gave me 4.285 which was wrong any suggestions?
 

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How about finding the x and y components of the net force?
 
Cb8 said:
Another user suggested adding the forces in the x and y direction then dividing by 1.4.
Doing this for A) gave me 4.285 which was wrong any suggestions?
That suggestion is correct. How sure are you that your work was correct? The suggestion by @Doc Al involves the same procedure as that of the other user up to the point of dividing by 1.4.
 
Cb8 said:
Homework Statement:: The forces in (Figure 1) act on a 1.4 kg object.

A) What is the value of ax, the x-component of the object's acceleration?

B) What is the value of ay, the y-component of the object's acceleration?
Relevant Equations:: F= M•a

Another user suggested adding the forces in the x and y direction then dividing by 1.4.
Doing this for A) gave me 4.285 which was wrong any suggestions?
1. How did you calculate the value 4.285? I get a different answer. Can you show your steps?
2. Values can be positive or negative so check you are using the correct sign.
3. You need to round your answer to an appropriate number of signficant figures.
4. You need to include the units.
 
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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