Final answer:
In the context of slinging a block of ice, pulling generally requires less force than pushing due to the effect each method has on the normal force and subsequent friction. Other scenarios described pertain to entity interactions like spring collisions and bullet embedding, involving energy and momentum conservation principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you've asked pertains to the physics of forces exerted on objects. When comparing the force needed to slide a block of ice by pushing versus pulling, one must consider the dynamics of friction and the angle of application of the force. The question about a block being stopped by a spring relates to the force exerted over time and involves concepts of energy conservation and spring dynamics as described by Hooke's Law. The scenario involving a bullet embedding in a block concerns conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in collisions.
Overall, when you push an object, the normal force between the object and the surface it's on increases which in turn increases friction. In contrast, pulling tends to decrease the normal force and, consequently, the friction. Therefore, assuming the angle above the horizontal is the same when pushing or pulling, it often requires less force to slide a block of ice by pulling than by pushing.
In the scenarios where a spring stops a block or a bullet embeds into a block, the principles of physical interactions in terms of energy transfer, force application over time, and momentum may be explored to understand the resulting motion or lack thereof.