What is the Difference Between Contact and Non-contact Forces?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚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:
- Require physical contact between two objects.
- Examples include friction, tension, normal force, air resistance, and spring force.
- Cannot work from a distance.
- Vector fields are used to determine contact forces.
- Non-Contact Forces:
- Do not require physical contact between the objects.
- Examples include gravitational force, electric force, magnetic force, and electromagnetic force.
- Can work from a distance.
- 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:
Property | Contact Forces | Non-Contact Forces |
---|---|---|
Definition | Forces that act between two objects in physical contact. | Forces that act between two objects without physical contact. |
Examples | Frictional force, Spring force, Muscular force, Applied force, Tension, Normal force, and Air resistance. | Gravitational force, Electric force, Magnetic force, and Electromagnetic force. |
Formation | Requires direct physical interaction between objects. | Does not require direct physical interaction between objects. |
Types | Friction, Tension, Normal force, Air resistance, and Spring force. | Gravitational force, Electric force, Magnetic force, and Electromagnetic force. |
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.
- Contact Force vs Field Force
- Electrostatic Force vs Gravitational Force
- Magnetic Force vs Electric Force
- Force vs Pressure
- Energy vs Force
- Gravity vs Gravitational Force
- Gravitational Force vs Magnetic Force
- Centripetal vs Centrifugal Force
- Force vs Momentum
- Magnetic Field vs Magnetic Force
- Force vs Stress
- Force vs Torque
- Gravitational Force vs Centripetal Force
- Impulse vs Force
- Buoyant Force vs Gravitational Force
- Adhesive vs Cohesive Forces
- Pseudo Force vs Centrifugal Force
- Gravity vs Magnetism
- Newtonian vs Non Newtonian Fluids