In basic physics, a push or a pull acting on an object is defined as what physical quantity?

Introduction / Context:
Force is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics. Many everyday actions such as pushing a door, pulling a cart, or lifting a bag involve applying a force. Basic definitions introduced in school science describe force in simple and intuitive terms before moving on to more mathematical treatments with mass and acceleration. This question asks you to recall that a push or a pull acting on an object is called a force, not weight, opposition, or energy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question defines an action as a push or pull on an object.
• The options include force, weight, opposition, and energy.
• We assume standard school level definitions of these physical quantities.

Concept / Approach:
In introductory physics, a force is defined as any interaction that can change the state of motion of an object or cause it to deform. A simple way to introduce this idea is to say that a force is a push or a pull. Weight, by contrast, is a specific type of force due to gravity acting on a mass. Opposition is not a standard physical term in this context. Energy is the capacity to do work, not the actual push or pull itself. Therefore, when the question uses the basic wording of a push or pull on an object, it is clearly referring to the general concept of force.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the key phrase in the question, a push or pull on an object.2. Recall that textbooks often introduce force with exactly this phrase, saying that force is a push or a pull.3. Recognize that weight is a particular force due to gravity and is not the general definition of any push or pull.4. Opposition is not a standard term for a physical quantity in basic mechanics.5. Energy describes stored or transferred capacity to do work, not the direct interaction on the object.6. Therefore, the correct term that matches the simple definition is force.

Verification / Alternative check:
Blank lines in school science worksheets often show sentences such as a force is a push or a pull. Examples include pushing a table, pulling a rope, or lifting a book, all of which apply forces. When students later learn about Newton laws of motion, they see that forces cause changes in velocity or shape. These ideas are consistent with identifying force as the quantity associated with pushes and pulls. The fact that weight is described as the force of gravity supports the idea that weight is a type of force, not the general category of interaction itself.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, weight, is incorrect as a general definition because it is only the gravitational pull on an object and does not describe other pushes or pulls such as those from hands, springs, or magnets. Option C, opposition, is not a standard physics term in this context and does not correspond to a defined quantity. Option D, energy, is wrong because energy is a scalar quantity representing capacity to do work, whereas force is a vector that directly causes motion or deformation. Only force matches the simple and general description given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse weight and force because both are measured in newtons. A useful reminder is that all weights are forces, but not all forces are weights. Another pitfall is to think of energy and force as interchangeable because both are involved in doing work. In reality, work is defined as force multiplied by displacement in the direction of the force, which shows that force and energy are related but distinct concepts. Keeping these definitions clear will help avoid errors in mechanics questions.

Final Answer:
A push or pull acting on an object is defined in physics as a force.