Textbook: Force and Types of Force | General Science Class 6 (Maharashtra Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


70
1. Will a boat move ahead unless pushed with the help of an oar ?
2. Who exerts force to move a bullock-cart forward ?
3. What makes the ball move during a game of football ? How does its direction 
 change?
4. Will the wheel go forward if it is not pushed with a stick ?
When we kick the football coming in our direction, towards the goal, we apply force. In 
day-to-day life, we do many actions such as lifting, pulling, riding a bicycle and stopping 
it at times, pushing a load, squeezing or bending something and driving vehicles. It is 
necessary to apply force for doing all these actions. Force is applied to an object to pull it 
or push it in any manner. 
1. What happens when you hold the two ends of a 
spring and pull them apart ?
2. What happens when a blacksmith hammers a red 
hot piece of iron?
10.2 : Changing the shape of on object
No object changes its position on its own. Force is required to move an object.
Force is used to change the direction of an object in motion, or to stop it.
10.1 : Various actions
Force and Types of Force 10.
Force is necessary to change the shape an object. 
Observe and discuss.
Can you tell ?    
Page 2


70
1. Will a boat move ahead unless pushed with the help of an oar ?
2. Who exerts force to move a bullock-cart forward ?
3. What makes the ball move during a game of football ? How does its direction 
 change?
4. Will the wheel go forward if it is not pushed with a stick ?
When we kick the football coming in our direction, towards the goal, we apply force. In 
day-to-day life, we do many actions such as lifting, pulling, riding a bicycle and stopping 
it at times, pushing a load, squeezing or bending something and driving vehicles. It is 
necessary to apply force for doing all these actions. Force is applied to an object to pull it 
or push it in any manner. 
1. What happens when you hold the two ends of a 
spring and pull them apart ?
2. What happens when a blacksmith hammers a red 
hot piece of iron?
10.2 : Changing the shape of on object
No object changes its position on its own. Force is required to move an object.
Force is used to change the direction of an object in motion, or to stop it.
10.1 : Various actions
Force and Types of Force 10.
Force is necessary to change the shape an object. 
Observe and discuss.
Can you tell ?    
71
Types of force 
1. Muscular force
In all the actions shown in the picture 10.1, the movements 
take place with the help of the bones and muscles in the body. 
The person in the picture alongside is lifting the weight by using 
muscular force.
 The force applied with the help of muscles is called muscular force.
2. Mechanical force
We use different machines for doing many tasks. 
Muscular force is used for running some machines. 
Some machines are run by using electricity or 
fuel. Machines like the latter are called ‘automatic 
machines’, because a mechanical force is used 
here. For example, sewing machine, electric pump, 
washing machine, mixer, etc. Make a list of other 
such machines.
The force applied by means of a machine
is called mechanical force. 
3. Gravitational force
If an object is thrown upward by applying force, 
it reaches a certain height and comes down again. 
Why is this so?
Why do fruits on trees fall to the ground ?
The earth pulls all the objects towards itself.
In the past ... 
Sir  Isaac Newton discovered gravitation in the 17th 
century. The earth’s gravitational force acts in a direction 
opposite to that of an object moving upwards. Hence, the speed 
of that object goes on decreasing till in the end it becomes 
zero. Then the object starts falling down instead of going up 
any further. While falling, its speed goes on increasing all the 
time due to gravitational force. 
10.5 : Falling down of a ball and a mango
10.3 : Lifting a weight
10.4 : Machines
For which tasks in your day-to-day life do you use 
muscular force ?
Use your brain power !
The force applied by the earth to pull objects 
towards itself is called gravitational force.
Page 3


70
1. Will a boat move ahead unless pushed with the help of an oar ?
2. Who exerts force to move a bullock-cart forward ?
3. What makes the ball move during a game of football ? How does its direction 
 change?
4. Will the wheel go forward if it is not pushed with a stick ?
When we kick the football coming in our direction, towards the goal, we apply force. In 
day-to-day life, we do many actions such as lifting, pulling, riding a bicycle and stopping 
it at times, pushing a load, squeezing or bending something and driving vehicles. It is 
necessary to apply force for doing all these actions. Force is applied to an object to pull it 
or push it in any manner. 
1. What happens when you hold the two ends of a 
spring and pull them apart ?
2. What happens when a blacksmith hammers a red 
hot piece of iron?
10.2 : Changing the shape of on object
No object changes its position on its own. Force is required to move an object.
Force is used to change the direction of an object in motion, or to stop it.
10.1 : Various actions
Force and Types of Force 10.
Force is necessary to change the shape an object. 
Observe and discuss.
Can you tell ?    
71
Types of force 
1. Muscular force
In all the actions shown in the picture 10.1, the movements 
take place with the help of the bones and muscles in the body. 
The person in the picture alongside is lifting the weight by using 
muscular force.
 The force applied with the help of muscles is called muscular force.
2. Mechanical force
We use different machines for doing many tasks. 
Muscular force is used for running some machines. 
Some machines are run by using electricity or 
fuel. Machines like the latter are called ‘automatic 
machines’, because a mechanical force is used 
here. For example, sewing machine, electric pump, 
washing machine, mixer, etc. Make a list of other 
such machines.
The force applied by means of a machine
is called mechanical force. 
3. Gravitational force
If an object is thrown upward by applying force, 
it reaches a certain height and comes down again. 
Why is this so?
Why do fruits on trees fall to the ground ?
The earth pulls all the objects towards itself.
In the past ... 
Sir  Isaac Newton discovered gravitation in the 17th 
century. The earth’s gravitational force acts in a direction 
opposite to that of an object moving upwards. Hence, the speed 
of that object goes on decreasing till in the end it becomes 
zero. Then the object starts falling down instead of going up 
any further. While falling, its speed goes on increasing all the 
time due to gravitational force. 
10.5 : Falling down of a ball and a mango
10.3 : Lifting a weight
10.4 : Machines
For which tasks in your day-to-day life do you use 
muscular force ?
Use your brain power !
The force applied by the earth to pull objects 
towards itself is called gravitational force.
72
1. Take a small stone and a bucketful of water. 
Drop the stone into the water from a height of 
about 20 cm. You will hear the sound of the stone 
dropping in the water. Now drop the same stone 
into the water from a height of about 100 cm. You 
will hear its sound again. 
What is the difference in the sounds in the two 
actions above ? What can we conclude from this ?
2. The actions of lifting a sack are shown in the 
picture. One sack looks empty, the other one is full. 
What difference do you notice in the way the two 
sacks are lifted ?
The gravitational force on the empty sack is 
less, that is to say, it weighs less.
The gravitational force on the bigger sack is 
greater. In other words the bag weighs more.
Greater force must be applied to lift a 
greater weight. 
10.6 : Dropping a stone in water
10.7 : Carrying a load
4. Magnetic force
Place  a magnet on a table. Take a big iron nail towards the magnet. It sticks to the 
magnet. Now hold the magnet upright in the air, away from the nail. What happens ?
To weigh an object, it is hung from the 
hook of  a spring balance.
The suspended object is pulled downwards 
by the force of gravity. At the same time, 
the force of the tension in the spring 
constantly pulls the object upwards.
The object comes to rest when  the tension 
in the spring and the gravitational force on 
the object become equal. In this position, 
the scale on the spring balance shows the 
gravitational force acting on the object 
which is the weight of the object. The 
gravitational force acting on an object is 
called the weight of that object.
The gravitational force operates 
between the sun and the planets in the 
solar system. Because of this, the planets 
revolve around the sun. At the same time, 
gravity also operates between planets and 
their satellites. Then, why don’t all the 
planets and satellites fall towards the 
sun ?
Which forces are acting upon an 
aeroplane taking off into the sky ?
Find out and discuss.
The force exerted by a magnet is called magnetic force. 
Let’s try this.
Do you know ?
Use your brain power !
Page 4


70
1. Will a boat move ahead unless pushed with the help of an oar ?
2. Who exerts force to move a bullock-cart forward ?
3. What makes the ball move during a game of football ? How does its direction 
 change?
4. Will the wheel go forward if it is not pushed with a stick ?
When we kick the football coming in our direction, towards the goal, we apply force. In 
day-to-day life, we do many actions such as lifting, pulling, riding a bicycle and stopping 
it at times, pushing a load, squeezing or bending something and driving vehicles. It is 
necessary to apply force for doing all these actions. Force is applied to an object to pull it 
or push it in any manner. 
1. What happens when you hold the two ends of a 
spring and pull them apart ?
2. What happens when a blacksmith hammers a red 
hot piece of iron?
10.2 : Changing the shape of on object
No object changes its position on its own. Force is required to move an object.
Force is used to change the direction of an object in motion, or to stop it.
10.1 : Various actions
Force and Types of Force 10.
Force is necessary to change the shape an object. 
Observe and discuss.
Can you tell ?    
71
Types of force 
1. Muscular force
In all the actions shown in the picture 10.1, the movements 
take place with the help of the bones and muscles in the body. 
The person in the picture alongside is lifting the weight by using 
muscular force.
 The force applied with the help of muscles is called muscular force.
2. Mechanical force
We use different machines for doing many tasks. 
Muscular force is used for running some machines. 
Some machines are run by using electricity or 
fuel. Machines like the latter are called ‘automatic 
machines’, because a mechanical force is used 
here. For example, sewing machine, electric pump, 
washing machine, mixer, etc. Make a list of other 
such machines.
The force applied by means of a machine
is called mechanical force. 
3. Gravitational force
If an object is thrown upward by applying force, 
it reaches a certain height and comes down again. 
Why is this so?
Why do fruits on trees fall to the ground ?
The earth pulls all the objects towards itself.
In the past ... 
Sir  Isaac Newton discovered gravitation in the 17th 
century. The earth’s gravitational force acts in a direction 
opposite to that of an object moving upwards. Hence, the speed 
of that object goes on decreasing till in the end it becomes 
zero. Then the object starts falling down instead of going up 
any further. While falling, its speed goes on increasing all the 
time due to gravitational force. 
10.5 : Falling down of a ball and a mango
10.3 : Lifting a weight
10.4 : Machines
For which tasks in your day-to-day life do you use 
muscular force ?
Use your brain power !
The force applied by the earth to pull objects 
towards itself is called gravitational force.
72
1. Take a small stone and a bucketful of water. 
Drop the stone into the water from a height of 
about 20 cm. You will hear the sound of the stone 
dropping in the water. Now drop the same stone 
into the water from a height of about 100 cm. You 
will hear its sound again. 
What is the difference in the sounds in the two 
actions above ? What can we conclude from this ?
2. The actions of lifting a sack are shown in the 
picture. One sack looks empty, the other one is full. 
What difference do you notice in the way the two 
sacks are lifted ?
The gravitational force on the empty sack is 
less, that is to say, it weighs less.
The gravitational force on the bigger sack is 
greater. In other words the bag weighs more.
Greater force must be applied to lift a 
greater weight. 
10.6 : Dropping a stone in water
10.7 : Carrying a load
4. Magnetic force
Place  a magnet on a table. Take a big iron nail towards the magnet. It sticks to the 
magnet. Now hold the magnet upright in the air, away from the nail. What happens ?
To weigh an object, it is hung from the 
hook of  a spring balance.
The suspended object is pulled downwards 
by the force of gravity. At the same time, 
the force of the tension in the spring 
constantly pulls the object upwards.
The object comes to rest when  the tension 
in the spring and the gravitational force on 
the object become equal. In this position, 
the scale on the spring balance shows the 
gravitational force acting on the object 
which is the weight of the object. The 
gravitational force acting on an object is 
called the weight of that object.
The gravitational force operates 
between the sun and the planets in the 
solar system. Because of this, the planets 
revolve around the sun. At the same time, 
gravity also operates between planets and 
their satellites. Then, why don’t all the 
planets and satellites fall towards the 
sun ?
Which forces are acting upon an 
aeroplane taking off into the sky ?
Find out and discuss.
The force exerted by a magnet is called magnetic force. 
Let’s try this.
Do you know ?
Use your brain power !
73
Why is powder sprinkled on the 
carrom board while playing carrom ?
10.8 : Frictional force
10.9 : Electrostatic force
6. Electrostatic force
1. Spread small pieces of paper on a table. Rub a piece of 
thermocol or an inflated balloon against silk cloth and 
bring it near these pieces.
2. Rub a plastic comb against dry hair and repeat the  
above activity. 
3. Rub a peacock feather between two pages of a notebook 
and bring it near your fingers. What do you see ?
 In the above activities, the pieces of paper, hair, and the 
peacock feather are seen to move. Why does this happen ?
Take two pieces of smooth paper and two of sandpaper and rub 
them against each other. What do you notice ? 
When a carrom piece is flicked lightly, 
it slides over the carrom board, but stops at 
a certain distance.
A ball rolling over a flat ground 
stops at a certain distance. Why does this 
happen ?
When two surfaces rub against each 
other, the force of friction comes into play. 
It always acts against the direction of 
motion. 
When a brake is applied while riding 
a bicycle, it stops after running a short 
distance. How does the  brake work ? 
Between which parts is friction produced ?
5. Frictional force
Static electricity is produced on materials like rubber, plastic and ebonite due to friction. 
The force exerted by such electrically charged materials is called electrostatic force. 
The smooth surfaces can be easily rubbed against each 
other because the force of friction between them is less, 
while rough surfaces cannot be easily rubbed against each 
other because the force of friction between them is much 
greater. 
It is possible for us to walk on the ground only because 
of the force of friction. If there is no friction, we would 
slip and fall. For example, we are very likely to slip while 
walking on an oily or wet floor.
Why is a wooden plank laid down for pulling out a car 
which is stuck in mud? 
A force of friction is generated between the wheel and 
the wooden plank laid down under the car. Hence, it can be 
pulled out from the mud. In short, the force of friction can  
either be decreased or increased as desired. 
Try this.
Use your brain power !
Page 5


70
1. Will a boat move ahead unless pushed with the help of an oar ?
2. Who exerts force to move a bullock-cart forward ?
3. What makes the ball move during a game of football ? How does its direction 
 change?
4. Will the wheel go forward if it is not pushed with a stick ?
When we kick the football coming in our direction, towards the goal, we apply force. In 
day-to-day life, we do many actions such as lifting, pulling, riding a bicycle and stopping 
it at times, pushing a load, squeezing or bending something and driving vehicles. It is 
necessary to apply force for doing all these actions. Force is applied to an object to pull it 
or push it in any manner. 
1. What happens when you hold the two ends of a 
spring and pull them apart ?
2. What happens when a blacksmith hammers a red 
hot piece of iron?
10.2 : Changing the shape of on object
No object changes its position on its own. Force is required to move an object.
Force is used to change the direction of an object in motion, or to stop it.
10.1 : Various actions
Force and Types of Force 10.
Force is necessary to change the shape an object. 
Observe and discuss.
Can you tell ?    
71
Types of force 
1. Muscular force
In all the actions shown in the picture 10.1, the movements 
take place with the help of the bones and muscles in the body. 
The person in the picture alongside is lifting the weight by using 
muscular force.
 The force applied with the help of muscles is called muscular force.
2. Mechanical force
We use different machines for doing many tasks. 
Muscular force is used for running some machines. 
Some machines are run by using electricity or 
fuel. Machines like the latter are called ‘automatic 
machines’, because a mechanical force is used 
here. For example, sewing machine, electric pump, 
washing machine, mixer, etc. Make a list of other 
such machines.
The force applied by means of a machine
is called mechanical force. 
3. Gravitational force
If an object is thrown upward by applying force, 
it reaches a certain height and comes down again. 
Why is this so?
Why do fruits on trees fall to the ground ?
The earth pulls all the objects towards itself.
In the past ... 
Sir  Isaac Newton discovered gravitation in the 17th 
century. The earth’s gravitational force acts in a direction 
opposite to that of an object moving upwards. Hence, the speed 
of that object goes on decreasing till in the end it becomes 
zero. Then the object starts falling down instead of going up 
any further. While falling, its speed goes on increasing all the 
time due to gravitational force. 
10.5 : Falling down of a ball and a mango
10.3 : Lifting a weight
10.4 : Machines
For which tasks in your day-to-day life do you use 
muscular force ?
Use your brain power !
The force applied by the earth to pull objects 
towards itself is called gravitational force.
72
1. Take a small stone and a bucketful of water. 
Drop the stone into the water from a height of 
about 20 cm. You will hear the sound of the stone 
dropping in the water. Now drop the same stone 
into the water from a height of about 100 cm. You 
will hear its sound again. 
What is the difference in the sounds in the two 
actions above ? What can we conclude from this ?
2. The actions of lifting a sack are shown in the 
picture. One sack looks empty, the other one is full. 
What difference do you notice in the way the two 
sacks are lifted ?
The gravitational force on the empty sack is 
less, that is to say, it weighs less.
The gravitational force on the bigger sack is 
greater. In other words the bag weighs more.
Greater force must be applied to lift a 
greater weight. 
10.6 : Dropping a stone in water
10.7 : Carrying a load
4. Magnetic force
Place  a magnet on a table. Take a big iron nail towards the magnet. It sticks to the 
magnet. Now hold the magnet upright in the air, away from the nail. What happens ?
To weigh an object, it is hung from the 
hook of  a spring balance.
The suspended object is pulled downwards 
by the force of gravity. At the same time, 
the force of the tension in the spring 
constantly pulls the object upwards.
The object comes to rest when  the tension 
in the spring and the gravitational force on 
the object become equal. In this position, 
the scale on the spring balance shows the 
gravitational force acting on the object 
which is the weight of the object. The 
gravitational force acting on an object is 
called the weight of that object.
The gravitational force operates 
between the sun and the planets in the 
solar system. Because of this, the planets 
revolve around the sun. At the same time, 
gravity also operates between planets and 
their satellites. Then, why don’t all the 
planets and satellites fall towards the 
sun ?
Which forces are acting upon an 
aeroplane taking off into the sky ?
Find out and discuss.
The force exerted by a magnet is called magnetic force. 
Let’s try this.
Do you know ?
Use your brain power !
73
Why is powder sprinkled on the 
carrom board while playing carrom ?
10.8 : Frictional force
10.9 : Electrostatic force
6. Electrostatic force
1. Spread small pieces of paper on a table. Rub a piece of 
thermocol or an inflated balloon against silk cloth and 
bring it near these pieces.
2. Rub a plastic comb against dry hair and repeat the  
above activity. 
3. Rub a peacock feather between two pages of a notebook 
and bring it near your fingers. What do you see ?
 In the above activities, the pieces of paper, hair, and the 
peacock feather are seen to move. Why does this happen ?
Take two pieces of smooth paper and two of sandpaper and rub 
them against each other. What do you notice ? 
When a carrom piece is flicked lightly, 
it slides over the carrom board, but stops at 
a certain distance.
A ball rolling over a flat ground 
stops at a certain distance. Why does this 
happen ?
When two surfaces rub against each 
other, the force of friction comes into play. 
It always acts against the direction of 
motion. 
When a brake is applied while riding 
a bicycle, it stops after running a short 
distance. How does the  brake work ? 
Between which parts is friction produced ?
5. Frictional force
Static electricity is produced on materials like rubber, plastic and ebonite due to friction. 
The force exerted by such electrically charged materials is called electrostatic force. 
The smooth surfaces can be easily rubbed against each 
other because the force of friction between them is less, 
while rough surfaces cannot be easily rubbed against each 
other because the force of friction between them is much 
greater. 
It is possible for us to walk on the ground only because 
of the force of friction. If there is no friction, we would 
slip and fall. For example, we are very likely to slip while 
walking on an oily or wet floor.
Why is a wooden plank laid down for pulling out a car 
which is stuck in mud? 
A force of friction is generated between the wheel and 
the wooden plank laid down under the car. Hence, it can be 
pulled out from the mud. In short, the force of friction can  
either be decreased or increased as desired. 
Try this.
Use your brain power !
74
1.  Choose the term to fill in the blanks.
 (a) …… has to be applied to change 
the ….. of a …… object.
  (moving, direction, force)
 (b) When an elephant drags a wooden 
log over the land, the forces that 
are applied on the log are …… , 
……. and …….. .
  (muscular force, mechanical force, 
gravitational force, frictional 
force)
 (c) A ball was set rolling on a large 
table. If its …… is to be changed, 
a …….. will have to be applied on 
it.
  (force, motion, gravitation)
 (d) The force of friction always acts 
…….. the motion.
  (along, against)
2.  Match the following :
  Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’
 (i) An ox pulling a cart (a) Magnetic force
 (ii) Lifting a heavy iron (b) Electrostatic  
    object with a crane          force 
 (iii) Weighing with  (c) Muscular force
     a spring balance 
 (iv) Applying brakes  (d) Gravitational
     to a bicycle       force
 (v) Picking up pieces  (e) Frictional force
  of paper with a          
  plastic scale        
3. One or more forces are acting in the 
following examples. Name them.
 (a) An object falling from a tall 
  building ….
 (b) An aeroplane flying in sky ….
A little fun !
Cut out fish shapes from coloured 
plastic sheets. Fix a pin on one side 
of the fishes. Take water in a big deep 
plate. Release the fishes in it. They will 
float on the water. Take a magnet and 
move it around over the water.
Can you make other games like this ? 
What makes such games possible ?
? Force is required to bring about any action. Force is necessary for making an 
object move, to change the direction of motion and also to change the shape of 
an object.
? There are various types of forces such as muscular force, mechanical force, 
gravitational force, magnetic force, frictional force and electrostatic force. 
Combined forces : While an action 
is taking place, various types of forces 
act on the object in question. You 
might have seen a roller coaster or the 
juggling of a sail board on the seashore. 
A variety of forces act together in these 
cases. To obtain more information about 
these, type the words ‘Trick Science’ in 
Google search on the Internet.
Exercise
What we have learnt-