Non contact and contact forces

forces science

What are contact forces?

Forces that act between objects that are physically touching.

Give three examples of contact forces.

Friction, tension, and normal force.

What are non-contact forces?

Forces that act on objects without physical contact.

Give three examples of non-contact forces.

Gravitational force, magnetic force, and electrostatic force.

What is friction?

A contact force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.

What is gravitational force?

A non-contact force that pulls objects toward each other due to their mass.

What is the normal force?

A contact force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it.

What is magnetic force?

A non-contact force exerted by magnets or magnetic fields.

What is tension force?

A contact force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when pulled tight.

What is electrostatic force?

A non-contact force between charged objects.

What is polarization?

The separation of positive and negative charges within an object, often caused by the influence of an electric field.

Give an example of polarization.

When a charged balloon causes the electrons in a neutral wall to shift, making the wall temporarily polarized.

What is conduction?

The transfer of electric charge between objects through direct contact.

Give an example of conduction.

Touching a charged metal rod to a neutral metal sphere, transferring charge to the sphere.

How does conduction differ from induction?

Conduction involves direct contact, while induction involves charging an object without contact by using an electric field.

What role do conductors play in conduction?

Conductors, like metals, allow the easy flow of electric charge or heat due to their free-moving electrons.

What are insulators?

Materials that resist the flow of electric charge or heat, such as rubber or wood.