Question

Which is easy pulling or pushing?

Answer 1

We push or pull a heavy object on a surface against the friction between object and the surface. The force of friction increases as the normal reaction of the surface on the object increases ( Limiting i.e. maximum static friction, kinetic friction and rolling friction all are directly proportional to the normal reaction of the surface on the object). If surface is a level ground, this normal reaction in magnitude is equal to the weight of the object.

If a heavy object is pushed on a level road, the vertical component of the pushing force acts on the body in vertically downward direction and thus increases the effective weight of the object and therefore increases force of friction between object and the ground.

If the heavy object is pulled on a level ground, the vertical component of the pulling force acts on the object in vertically upward direction and thus reduces the effective weight of the object and therefore decreases friction between object and the ground.

We see that effective weight of the object and as a consequence friction between object and the ground in case of pulling are lower than those in case of pushing. So, it is easier to pull a heavy object than to push it on a level ground.

The explanation given above is applicable in the case when the size of the object is smaller than that of the person and this is the most general case. In such a case, the pulling or pushing force will act in a slanting direction. Involuntarily, the person selects such a point of application so that the line of action of the applied force passes the centre of mass in order to avoid the rotation of the body and thus toppling of the body over its an edge.

If the body is larger in size or is of the size of the person, it is convenient for the person to pull or push the object by applying only the horizontal force. In such case, friction will be same whether the object is pulled or pushed. It is because in this case normal reaction of the surface on the object remains unaffected. So it doesn't matter whether the object is pulled or pushed.

If point of application of the force is lowered, it will not affect the pulling or pushing the object, rather lowering the point of application will increase tendency of toppling of the body over its edge.

MARK BRAINLIEST..

Answer 2

Newton's third law of motion -  It goes like “ Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Emphasizing 'opposite'. Here, it means the direction of the reactive force.

For example, if you're applying some force on a body in the positive x direction, the reactive force from the body will be in the negative x direction, vice versa. So when you're pulling an object, you're applying force in the negative x direction and the reactive force will be in the positive x direction.

But when you're pushing an object, the force you're applying and the reactive force will be in the same direction.

Now you may be all like, where's Newton's law now? The reactive force is supposed to be in the opposite direction….

Well it is in the opposite direction. You're technically applying force from the negative x direction hence the reactive force will be in the positive x direction. So they add up in the end.

Hence it becomes easier to push an object than to pull it.

I hope this answers your question well.