How is the force of gravity different from the force you apply when you push or pull something?

Answer 1

One difference is that gravity acts at a distance - the objects need not touch. Another difference is that every object attracts every other object. The force depends on the masses and on the distance.

Answer 2

As Hilmar Zonneveld mentions, gravitational force is related to mass and separation distance. Pushing and pulling forces, collisions, etc, are fundamentally electromagnetic in nature and depend on charge and distance. The molecules which form objects are strongly linked together by EM forces and when placed close to other chains of molecules in other objects, they interact via repulsive forces (EM forces), pushing the two objects apart. Pulling involves EM forces which keep objects together. The EM bonding forces are what determine the strengths of materials. Imagine trying to pull a car out of a ditch with a thin piece of cotton fiber. Or push a button with a drop of water without the water squishing away. EM forces are much stronger, in general, than gravitational. That's why chairs and tables can keep things from falling to the floor.

Answer 3

Gravity is an attractive force between two objects with mass, pulling them together. When you push or pull something, you are applying a force due to mechanical interaction, which can be a contact force (pushing a box) or a non-contact force (magnet pulling an object).