An object of mass 5.00 kg, attached to a spring scale, rests on a frictionless, horizontal surface as in Figure P6.21. The spring scale, attached to the front end of a boxcar, has a constant reading of 18.0 N when the car is in motion.
(a) If the spring scale reads zero when the car is at rest, determine the acceleration of the car.
(b) What constant reading will the spring scale show if the car moves with constant velocity?
(c) Describe the forces on the object as observed by someone in the car and by someone at rest outside the car.