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Contact Force - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia

Discover how forces work when objects touch each other!

What is Force?

Image showing push and pull
Illustration showing push and pull forces

Force is a push or pull that can make objects move, stop, or change direction. Forces are all around us! When you push a door open, pull a wagon, or kick a ball, you're using force. Forces can also make objects change shape or stay in place.

There are two main types of forces:
Contact forces - when objects need to touch each other to create a force
Non-contact forces - when objects can affect each other without touching

Contact Forces

Image showing Different types of contact forces
Different types of contact forces

Contact forces happen when two objects physically touch each other. These are the forces you can feel and see in action every day. Here are the main types:

Applied Force

A push or pull directly applied to an object by a person or another object.

Example: Pushing a shopping cart

Normal Force

The support force exerted when an object rests on a surface.

Example: A book sitting on a table

Friction

A force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are touching.

Example: Brakes slowing down a bicycle

Tension

A pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, or wire.

Example: A swing hanging from chains

Spring Force

The force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring.

Example: A trampoline pushing you upward

Air Resistance

A type of friction that acts against objects moving through air.

Example: A parachute slowing a skydiver

Non-Contact Forces

Image showing Examples of non-contact forces
Examples of non-contact forces

Non-contact forces work without objects touching each other. These forces can act at a distance through fields. The main types are:

1

Gravity

The force that pulls objects toward each other. Earth's gravity keeps us on the ground.

2

Magnetic Force

The attraction or repulsion between magnetic materials.

3

Electrostatic Force

The force between electrically charged objects.

While non-contact forces don't require touching, they can still cause contact forces. For example, gravity pulls an apple down until it makes contact with the ground, where the normal force supports it.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Image showing Newton's three laws of motion
Newton's three laws of motion

Sir Isaac Newton described how forces work with his three laws of motion:

1

Law of Inertia

Objects at rest stay at rest, and objects in motion stay in motion unless a force acts on them.

Example: A soccer ball stays still until kicked

2

F = ma

Force equals mass times acceleration. Heavier objects need more force to move.

Example: Pushing a bicycle vs. pushing a car

3

Action-Reaction

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Example: A rocket pushing gases down as it goes up

Force Quiz

Test your knowledge about forces with this 5-question quiz!

1. Which of these is an example of a contact force?
2. According to Newton's second law, what happens when you apply more force to an object?
3. Which force always opposes motion between two surfaces?
4. What force prevents you from falling through your chair?
5. Which statement describes Newton's third law?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about forces:

Force Trivia

Discover some amazing facts about forces:

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