Why is it easier to pull a body than to push it?
Let F be the Force applied to pull a body of mass m as shown in fig (i) . F Cosθ and F Sinθ are the components of mass F, where θ is the angle between the force F and horizontal. The Normal reaction is given by R1 = mg - FSinθ . If μk is the coefficient of kinetic friction, then friction force is given by,
f1 = μkR1 = μk(mg - F Sinθ) .......................... 1
If the same force F is applied to push the body the normal reaction,
R2 = (mg + F Sinθ)
The kinetic friction is given by,
f2 = μkR2= μk(mg + F Sinθ) .......................... 2
From 1 and 2 , We have, f2 > f1
That is friction is more while pushing than to push a body.