Forces: Contact and Non-contact Forces

Question 1

What is a force?

Answer 1

A force is a push or pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.

(all forces have both magnitude and a direction to them()

Question 2

Is a force a vector or scaler quantity?

Answer 2

A force is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction to it.

Question 3

What is the unit of force?

Answer 3

The unit of force are newtons. (N)

Question 4

What are the two types of forces?

Answer 4

The two types of forces are contact forces and non-contact forces.

Question 5

What is meant by a non-contact force?

Answer 5

Non-contact force is when the objects are physically separated.

Question 6

What is meant by a contact force?

Answer 6

A contact force is when the objects are physically touching.

Question 7

What are examples of contact forces?

Answer 7

Examples of contact forces are:
Friction
Air resistance
Tension
Normal contact force (this is when for example a lamp on a table: the lamp is exerting a downward force on the table and this is the weight of the lamp, the table is also exerting an upward force on the lamp)

Question 8

What are examples of non-contact forces?

Answer 8

Examples of non-contact forces are::
Gravitational force
Electrostatic force
Magnetic force