The main force that must be overcome to push an object along a horizontal surface is friction , specifically the friction between the object and the surface.

Quick Scoop

When you try to slide something across the floor, the surfaces “grab” against each other. This resisting force is called friction, and it acts in the opposite direction to your push.

There are two closely related ideas:

  • Static friction : The friction you must overcome to start the object moving from rest. This is usually what is meant in questions like yours.
  • Kinetic friction : The friction that acts while the object is already sliding. You must keep overcoming this to keep the object moving at a constant speed.

In everyday terms, your push must be at least as large as the frictional force for the object to begin sliding, which is why heavy boxes feel “stuck” until you push hard enough.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.