2006-09-08 07:24:53 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If only they would invent some sort of torsion bar to allow an upwards force while you're pushing it.
I tried mowing my lawn backwards, but I stepped in too much hidden dog poo.
2006-09-08 07:39:05 · answer #1 · answered by MadScientist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The handle of the roller in slanted, so that when you push, a portion of the force is transmitted toward the ground. This tends to increase friction between the wheels and the ground. It also increases the difficulty of pushing the wheels over uneven areas in the lawn.
When you pull the lawn roller, a portion of that force is acting upward, thus reducing friction and actually reducing the effect of uneveness in the lawn.
2006-09-08 14:31:37 · answer #2 · answered by deadstick325 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because applying force onto the bar at that angle is difficult and very indirect.
Where as it isn't by design hard to pull. This mostly has to do with the design of the lawn roller, not the physics involved. It shouldn't be easier to pull something than push it unless the design makes one or the other easier.
2006-09-08 14:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When pushing, part of the push, because of the angle of the handle, pushes the roller down into the grass, increasing the resistance. When pulling, part of the pull LIFTS the roller out of the grass, decreasing the resistance. Decompose the vectors into horizontal and vertical components and it will be obvious.
2006-09-08 14:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Philo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of torque. When you push a lawn mower the torque is created as you try try to push the mower over the little obstacles. When you pull a lawn mower the torque is less because half of the person-mower system (you the mower) is already on the opposite side of the obstacle.
2006-09-08 15:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by bruinfan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the angle of the handle...pushing sends of a portion of the energy expended towards the ground which adds to the resistance of the forward movement...Pulling actually kind of lifts the mower making it lighter which in turn creates less resistance
2006-09-08 16:46:51 · answer #6 · answered by jbbrant1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Reach. When pushing ANYTHING, you're arm muscles are needed to stabilize the arm's position so that the force is always applied in the same direction.
When pulling, midrift muscles do the stabilization (they're conditioned to do this, the arm's aren't).
Happy pulling!
2006-09-08 14:32:38 · answer #7 · answered by ManOfPhysics 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the pet rabbit is in front?
2006-09-08 14:36:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋