An autonomous transport pod is undergoing performance trials on a straight, horizontal test track.
During three initial test runs under identical operating conditions, the telemetry system records the pod's acceleration as:
1.68 m s−2,1.75 m s−2,1.70 m s−2 1.68\text{ m s}^{-2}, \quad 1.75\text{ m s}^{-2}, \quad 1.70\text{ m s}^{-2} 1.68 m s−2,1.75 m s−2,1.70 m s−2Calculate the mean acceleration of the pod.
In a subsequent test, the total mass of the pod and its cargo is 450 kg450\text{ kg}450 kg, and it is programmed to accelerate at a constant rate of 0.84 m s−20.84\text{ m s}^{-2}0.84 m s−2.
Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the pod.