Contact And Non Contact Forces

Question 1

What is a contact force?

Answer 1

A force which acts between objects that are physically touching.

Question 2

What is a non-contact force

Answer 2

A force which acts at a distance, without any contact between bodies, due to the action of a field

Question 3

Give some examples of contact forces and their definitions

Answer 3

• Friction: a force that opposes motion, occurs when objects rub against each other
• Air Resistance: a type of friction acting on objects moving through the air
• Tension: Is a force that pulls two objects connected by a length, such as a string or rope
• Reaction force: Is a force that pushes touching objects apart

Question 4

Give some examples of non-contact forces

Answer 4

• Gravitational force: between masses
• Electrostatic force: between charges (attractive or repulsive)
• Magnetic force: between poles of magnets