A non-contact force is defined as the force between two objects that are not in physical contact. For example, the attraction between the Earth and the Moon is a non-contact force since the two never come in contact. A non-contact force is also called a field force.

Contact vs. Non-contact Forces

Contact and Non-contact Forces: Types and Examples

How to Find Contact Force

  1. Normal Force: Example – The force exerted by the table on a book lying on it.
  2. Tension Force: Example – The force experienced by a rope when a person pulls a bucket of water from a well.
  3. Friction: Example – The resistance force offered by the floor when a box slides over it.
  4. Applied Force: Example – The force with which a person pushes a cart.
  5. Air Resistance: Example – The resistance offered by air when a ball falls through it.
  6. Spring Force: Example – The force used to measure weight.

Non-contact Force

There are four types of non-contact force.

  1. Gravitational Force: Example – The force of attraction between the Sun and the Earth. Gravity is the force of attraction between the Earth and any object on its surface.
  2. Electric Force: Example – The force with which electrons are held together by the nucleus.
  3. Magnetic Force: Example – The force with which a magnet pulls iron nails.
  4. Electromagnetic Force: Example – The force experienced by a charged particle in an electromagnetic field. Suppose an object of mass m is pushed on the floor such that it is moving with an acceleration a. Then, the applied force is given by, Formula: FA = ma

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