Answer: The force that must be applied is 15 N.
Step-by-step explanation:
Force exerted on the object is defined as the product of mass of the object and the acceleration of the object.
Mathematically,

where,
F = force exerted = ?
m = mass of the object = 3 kg
a = acceleration of the object =

Putting values in above equation, we get:

Hence, the force that must be applied is 15 N.