Consider the following three cases. You try to push on a large box that has a ma

Question

Consider the following three cases. You try to push on a large box that has a mass equal to your mass across the floor. However, the box does not move due to friction. How do the magnitudes of the forces between you and the box compare to each other? You switch to a box that has a mass that is half of your mass and try to push it across the floor, but it also does not move. How do the magnitudes of the forces between you and the box compare to each other? You are able to place the box that has a mass half of your own onto a platform with wheels and you are able to push the box across the floor.. How do the magnitudes of the forces between you and the box compare to each other?

Explanation / Answer

Newton's third law states that every action has equal and opposite reaction

So force applied by man on box is same as reaction force applied by box on man

Let man apply a force of F

A) force applied by man on box is opposed by friction ie) force = frictional force

Which is same applied for man by box

Force on man = F and force on box = F = frictional force , forces are same on both

2)again forces are same on both box and man ie) same pushing force is applied by box that the man applies on it force = half of the frictional force that acts on above situation

3)since acceleration takes place the box moves with a resultant force which is less than the force applied by man( let force applied by man is F)

Force on box

F - frictional force = mass * account

Force on man is simply F

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