An autonomous robotic delivery rover is transporting a package along a flat, horizontal footpath.
The mass of the rover and its package is 16 kg16\text{ kg}16 kg. The net (unbalanced) force acting on the rover is 28 N28\text{ N}28 N.
State the equation linking net force, mass and acceleration.
Calculate the acceleration of the delivery rover.
Suggest a reason why the electric motor of the rover must exert a force that is greater than 28 N28\text{ N}28 N to move it along a real footpath.
The rover is then tested on a smooth descending ramp.
When rolling down the ramp, it accelerates at 2.3 m/s22.3\text{ m/s}^22.3 m/s2 from rest for 4.2 s4.2\text{ s}4.2 s.
State the equation linking acceleration, change in velocity and time.
Show that the rover reaches a speed of approximately 9.7 m/s9.7\text{ m/s}9.7 m/s after it has accelerated for 4.2 s4.2\text{ s}4.2 s.
The velocity-time graph below shows the motion of a different delivery rover during a diagnostic trial:
Name the feature of the velocity-time graph that represents the distance travelled by the rover.
Describe the motion of the rover during the journey shown by this graph.
