Which task requires more effort pushing a 1-kg box across an ordinary floor or pushing a 2000-kg box across a frictionless floor?

Answer 1

If there is no air resistance moving the 2000-kg box would cost virtually no effort since the slightest shove would set it into motion which it would continue indefinably.

Pushing the 1-kg box would require a constant investment of effort because you need to combat the force of friction.

Thus, pushing the 1-kg box around is more tiresome.

Answer 2

Pushing the 2000-kg box across a frictionless floor requires more effort because the mass of the object being pushed directly affects the force needed to move it, assuming the surface does not provide any resistance. In this case, the larger mass of the 2000-kg box would require more force to accelerate it, even on a frictionless surface.