Contact and Non-Contact Force: Explained
A force is any influence that changes or tends to change the motion of an object. Forces can be classified into two broad categories: contact and non-contact forces. The main difference between these two types of forces is in how they act and the objects involved.
Contact Forces
Contact forces are forces that act between two objects that are physically touching each other. These forces involve a transfer of energy between the two objects and are always due to direct contact between them. Examples of contact forces include:
- Friction force
- Tension force
- Normal force
- Spring force
- Applied force
Contact forces are easy to observe and measure since they involve physical contact between two objects. They can also be altered by changing the surface area or the force applied.
Non-Contact Forces
Non-contact forces are forces that act between two objects that are not physically touching each other. These forces do not involve a transfer of energy between the objects and can act over long distances. Examples of non-contact forces include:
- Gravitational force
- Electrostatic force
- Magnetic force
Non-contact forces are more difficult to observe and measure than contact forces since they do not involve physical contact between objects. They can also act over very long distances and cannot be altered by changing the surface area or force applied.
Summary
In summary, contact forces are those that involve physical contact between two objects, while non-contact forces do not involve physical contact and can act over long distances. Understanding the difference between these two types of forces is important in understanding the behavior of objects in our everyday lives.