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Question
Explain why it is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it.
Solution
While pulling a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is applied to it, as depicted in the figure shown.
The vertical component of the applied force acts upward, reducing the effective weight of the mower.
Conversely, when pushing a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is exerted on it, as illustrated in the following figure.
In this case, the vertical component of the applied force acts in the direction of the weight of the mower. This increases the effective weight of the mower.
Since the effective weight of the lawn mower is lesser in the first case, pulling the lawn mower is easier than pushing it.
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