Garbage Can Scene

The Physics Behind the Garbage Can Scene: Home Alone 1

In case you've forgotten the scene....

 

When Old Man Marley drags his garbage can across the sidewalk multiple forces are acting on the garbage can. These forces can be displayed by a free body diagram. 

The normal force and gravitational force will be the same. However, the applied force and frictional force are not equal. Since Old Man Marley is applying a force large enough to move the can, the applied force must surpass the frictional force. Applied force must be bigger than the frictional force for movement to occur. If the frictional and applied force were the same then no movement would occur.

So this means that Fn and Fg are equal, and Fa > Ff