Why is pulling easier than pushing under same conditions (with respect to friction) ?

Question

It has been claimed that pulling is easier than pushing when both things happen under same conditions done by same person on the same thing and it has something to do with friction.

Please explain this to me and I don't know if it is actually connected to friction or if pulling is actually easier than pushing[it seems so to me]
Thanks

Answer 1

1) While pulling a body, you apply a force F in a forward direction inclined to the horizontal

where the angle of inclination Θ is above the horizontal. Draw the diagram. It has two components

(i) A horizontal component F cos Θ in the forward direction and (ii) the other, F sin Θ in the

vertically upward direction. The 2nd one being in a direction opposite to that of the weight W of

the object, reduces the effective weight which becomes W - F sin Θ. This reduces the frictional

force which is now µ(W - F sin Θ) instead of µW. (µ = coefficient of friction.) The force that is to

be overcome is now reduced.

2) While pushing a body from behind, you apply a force F in the forward direction inclined to the

horizontal, where the angle of inclination is below the horizontal. Draw the diagram now.

(i) The horizontal component F cos Θ is in the forward direction as before. (ii) The 2nd component

F sin Θ is in the vertically downward direction which adds up to the weight of the body, thereby

making the effective weight W + F sin Θ. The frictional force now becomes µ(W + Fsin Θ) which

is greater than before. Now the force to be overcome is increased.

I hope, you can now understand why pulling is easier than pushing.

Answer 2

In many cases, you do not have the geometry to pull or push exactly parallel to the floor. Instead, your grip is somewhat below your shoulder, so you end up transmitting your force at an angle to the object.



If so, then besides forces parallel to the floor, some of the force is either lifting the object up or pushing it down into the floor.



When you are pushing at a downward angle, you increase the normal force from the floor on that object, and that increase the maximum frictional force.



When you are pulling an an upward angle, you decrease the normal force from the floor and decrease the maximum frictional force.



These are generalities. It's very possible to have some tall furniture where this situation would be reversed. Or a case where the edge of the object bites rather than slides so one direction is preferred. But this is likely where the claim comes from.

Answer 3

Depends on the1) centre of gravity of the body ,2)direction of action of force and 2)the point of action of the force on the body;the effect of push and pull changes.Imagine a lawn roller which is pushed.As we push it ,a force which is along the direction of the handle is applied on it.This can create a horizontal component which assist its forward motion and a downward component which increases the normal reaction and thereby enhances the friction which opposes motion.

yea... real esay



But as we pull it, the direction of the vertical component will be in upward direction and can reduce the normal reaction which in turn reduces the friction and requires less effort to make it move.

This is a general view .As we study more we can see the difference in result according to the three parameters which has been discussed above.

Answer 4

this is a false statement and is being promoted by the coaching institutions. pushing is harder or easier than pulling totally depends on direction of forces and resultant of all applied forces. for the example pulling a body on a inclined surface upwards is very difficult but for pushing is easy (even it will slide down without applying any force i.e. due to gravity). there are infinite number of such examples.

Answer 5

See it's very simple... in pushing the component of weight is along the direction of force applied so the resultant force is F+ mgcosQ while in pulling the force is along opp direction so the resultant is F -mgcosQ WHICH IS SMALLER THAN THAT OF PUSHING,SO PULLING IS EASIER THEN PUSHING.......

Answer 6

Nice:-S

All works like pulling pushing and lifting are need strength. So this strength starts from earth not from your hand.. Whenever you push or pull at that moment you pushes the earth.. Now when you pull strenght reaches you hand early.. While pushing its not..

This you can come to know while pushing or pulling bank atm doors

Answer 7

In theory, I would say exactly the same. However, there are times when pushing uses muscles that you have used a lot, and are stronger, so it seems easier, but still, I would say the amount of work is identical.