Question

Give Reason It is easier to push a lighter box than a similar heavy box on the same floor

Answer 1

Because, we need a larger force to push it, as the opposite force applied by the box is mass × acceleration. Being heavier , the mass is more hence a more force is applied by the box on us(Newton's first law if motion).

Answer 2

It is easier to push a lighter box than a similar heavy box on the same floor, because -

• When we apply some amount of force on any object, a resistive force is applied back by that object in the exact opposite direction. This resistive force is known as the "inertia".
• Now, to create movement in any object at rest, we have to apply greater force than the inertial force of that object.
• The inertial force is directly proportional to the amount mass of an object.
• According to the above mentioned discussion, we can conclude that the lighter box will produce less inertial force than the heavier box.
• This less amount of inertial force of the lighter object can be easily overpowered by a small amount of external force application, as compared with the heavy box.
• That's why, it is easier to push a lighter box than a heavy box.
• This whole thing fulfills the Newton's second law of motion which states

Force = Mass × Acceleration

Here, force and mass are directly proportional to each other which also indicates that greater mass needs greater force to create certain amount of acceleration (or, motion).