Final answer:
The statement is true because it requires less force to push a small car than a large truck due to the mass and force proportionality described by Newton's second law, and the role of friction. Pushing a small car involves overcoming less inertia compared to a large truck, making it easier.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that it is easier to push a small car than it is to push a large truck is generally considered true. This is due to the principles of physics related to mass and force. The mass of a large truck is considerably greater than that of a small car, which means that more force will be required to overcome its inertia and set it into motion. According to Newton's second law of motion, the force needed to accelerate an object is directly proportional to the mass of the object when the acceleration is kept constant. Hence, a larger force is needed to push a large truck compared to a small car as long as the gravitational pull and the frictional forces are consistent.
Another aspect that influences the difficulty in pushing a vehicle is the role of friction. As mentioned, a car on level ground may require 150 N of force to roll against friction. Pushing the same car up a hill increases the force required due to the added component of gravitational force working against the push. Thus, considering a small car and a large truck both stationary on a level surface, the small car will require less force to overcome both inertia and friction.
Furthermore, when dealing with inclined planes such as hills or ramps, the difference in force required to move different vehicles becomes more noticeable. Using Pascal's principle, which applies to fluids but represents a similar scenario, a smaller force applied to a smaller cross-sectional area can lift a heavier object when there's a difference in cross-sectional areas at play. Similarly, lesser force is needed to push a lighter vehicle than a heavier one uphill.