What is the Difference Between Contact and Non-contact Forces?

The main difference between contact and non-contact forces lies in the requirement of physical contact between the objects involved. Here is a summary of the differences between the two types of forces:

• Contact Forces:

1. Require physical contact between two objects.
2. Examples include friction, tension, normal force, air resistance, and spring force.
3. Cannot work from a distance.
4. Vector fields are used to determine contact forces.

• Non-Contact Forces:

1. Do not require physical contact between the objects.
2. Examples include gravitational force, electric force, magnetic force, and electromagnetic force.
3. Can work from a distance.
4. Non-contact forces are associated with a field, which is used to represent the force.

In summary, contact forces are forces that act between objects in physical contact with each other, while non-contact forces act between objects without the need for physical contact. Non-contact forces can work from a distance and are associated with a field, whereas contact forces require physical interaction between objects and cannot work from a distance. Examples of contact forces include friction, tension, and air resistance, while examples of non-contact forces include gravity, magnetism, and electric forces.

Comparative Table: Contact vs Non-contact Forces

Here is a table comparing the differences between contact and non-contact forces:

Contact forces are forces that result from the physical contact between two objects, such as friction, air resistance, and tension. Examples of contact forces include the resistance offered by a floor when a box slides on it or the force exerted by the table on a book lying on it. On the other hand, non-contact forces are forces that act on an object without the need for physical contact, such as gravity, magnetism, and electric forces. Examples of non-contact forces include the attraction between the Earth and the Moon or the force that pulls objects towards the Earth.