Science Homework 10

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Non-Contact Force
Force is simply a push or pull in a particular direction. Forces result from an object’s
interaction with another object. Forces are usually illustrated by arrows. The arrows
demonstrate which way the force is acting.
There are two main types of force: contact forces and non-contact forces. Contact forces
result from two objects physically touching each other. This may be a ball that is rolled
into another ball, which then moves as well. It could be air pushing against a parachute
making the parachute, and the person attached, fall slower to the ground. It could be a
ball being bounced on the ground and the ball bouncing back up.
But what is non-contact force? Well, it is when one object is able to push or pull another
object without coming into physical contact with it. There are three main types of non-
contact forces: gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force. Let’s look at
each of these a little more.
Gravitational Force
Gravitational force is when one object is

pushed or pulled by the force of gravity. On
Earth, we can stand, walk or run around
and even jump and we will come straight
back down. On the moon, however, if you
were to jump hard enough, you would not
come back down, but instead, you would
float away into space. This is because there
is much less gravity on the moon than there
is on Earth.
Gravity pushes you and the things around

us onto the ground. A perfect example
of gravitational force is when you drop
something out of your hand. It will fall
straight to the ground. Even a ball which
might bounce at first, will eventually stop
bouncing and sit against the ground.
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Non-Contant Force
Electrostatic Force
Electrostatic force is static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another object. It
is usually the result of prior friction between two objects. The friction builds electrostatic
force in one of the objects. This force can then be used to push or pull another object
without coming into contact with it.
A great example of electrostatic force is

when you rub a balloon on your shirt or
jumper, then move the balloon near some
scraps of paper on a smooth surface,
like a table. When you move the balloon
close to the scraps of paper, the paper
will be pulled towards the balloon, often
sticking to the balloon! The scraps of
paper sticking to the balloon is actually
the electrostatic force keeping the paper
on the surface of the balloon.
Magnetic Force Just like gravitational force and

electrostatic force, magnetic force is a
non-contact force that uses magnetic
fields to push or pull another object. An
object that is magnetised has magnetic
force and will attract (pull) or repel
(push) magnetic objects. Like electrostatic
force, only some objects will be able
to use magnetic force. A magnet is a
perfect example of magnetic force as
it is magnetised and will attract other
magnetic objects. Think about the
magnets on a fridge - the magnet is
attracting the metal on the front of the
fridge and holds the magnet on the fridge.

Non-Contant Force
Magnetic Force
If you glue the magnet onto a piece of paper, then hold the paper
close to the fridge, the magnet will pull itself, and the paper,
towards the fridge. In some cases, a magnet will repel or push
another object away, without touching it. This happens when
two magnets have the same pole facing each other.
When an object moves because of another object there is force. Sometimes, the force
needs to make one object physically contact another object to make it move. We call this
contact force. Othertimes, one object can enact force without contact. We call this non-
contact force. Remember, force is all around us. It is just a push or pull.

Non-Contact Force Comprehension
1.1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?

magnetic electrostatic, gravity
2.2. What is force?
A force is push or pull acting on an object. Forces act in pairs, opposing one another.
3.3. What does non-contact mean?
It means that the objects are not touching.
4.4. What is gravitational force?
The force of gravity prevents everything from floating away into space.
5.5. What is electrostatic force?
Static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another object.
6.6. What is magnetic force?
A non-contact force that uses magnetic fields to push or pull a object.
7.7. Where might we see gravitational force?
When we jump and fall back down, or when we swim and we sink.

Non-Contact Force Comprehension
8.1. Where might we see electrostatic force?
If you rub a balloon against your hair.
9.2. Where might we see magnetic force?
If you stick a magnet to a refridgerator.
10.
3. When have you experienced a non-contact force?
I experience gravity when I trip and fall, or when I'm in PE and someone shoots a basketball
through the hoop.

Forces and Their Effects
Forces are measured in newtons, using a newton meter.
The table below lists some forces and their descriptions.
Force Description
The force between two surfaces that are sliding, or trying to slide, past
friction
each other.
The force that acts in the opposite direction to an object’s movement

air resistance
as it moves through the air.
reaction The force that supports an object on a solid surface.
The force transmitted through a rope, string or wire when pulled by

tension
forces acting from opposite ends.
upthrust The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object floating in it.
gravitational force The force acting on an object due to gravity.
magnetic force The force exerted by a magnetic field on a magnetic material.
electrostatic force The force that acts between two charged objects.
1. Name the force that is acting in each of the situations described below.
The force of the water acting on a boat that keeps it afloat. upthrust
The force of the table acting on a cup that is resting on the table. reaction
The force that keeps a car on the ground. gravity
The force that holds up a decoration that is hanging from a string. tension
The force that causes a paperclip to be attracted to a magnet. magnetic
The force of the air acting on a moving bus. air resistance

The force that holds together sodium and chloride ions to make salt. electrostatic
The force of the doormat on your shoes when you wipe your feet. friction
We can’t see forces but we can see their effects on objects.

Forces can make objects change speed, direction or even shape.
2. On a sheet of paper, draw diagrams to help you remember the three things that forces can do.
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Contact and Non-Contact Forces
Contact forces act between objects that are physically touching each other. Non-contact forces
act between objects that are not physically touching each other.
Non-contact forces act in fields. The field is a special area where an object can experience a non-
contact force.
• A gravitational field is found around an object with mass.

• A magnetic field is found around a magnetic object.
• An electrostatic field is found around a charged object.
As an object gets farther away from the object exerting a force, the field gets weaker. This means
that the size of the force an object experiences will decrease as it gets further away.
1. Tick the correct box in the table below to identify the contact and non-contact forces. There
are three non-contact forces.
Force Contact Non-Contact

upthrust
air resistance
electrostatic
tension
magnetic
reaction
water resistance
gravitational
friction

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Contact and Non-Contact Forces
The diagram below shows a bar magnet surrounded by its magnetic field.
2. Draw the diagram onto a sheet of paper. On your diagram:
- write a letter S where the magnetic force is the strongest
- write a letter W where the magnetic force is the weakest
???

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push pull

Gravitational force is when one object is

Gravity pushes you and the things around

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A great example of electrostatic force is

Magnetic Force Just like gravitational force and

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1.1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?

2.2. What is force?

3.3. What does non-contact mean?

It means that the objects are not touching.

4.4. What is gravitational force?

5.5. What is electrostatic force?

Static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another object.

6.6. What is magnetic force?

A non-contact force that uses magnetic fields to push or pull a object.

7.7. Where might we see gravitational force?

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8.1. Where might we see electrostatic force?

If you rub a balloon against your hair.

9.2. Where might we see magnetic force?

If you stick a magnet to a refridgerator.

through the hoop.

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The force that acts in the opposite direction to an object’s movement

reaction The force that supports an object on a solid surface.

The force transmitted through a rope, string or wire when pulled by

upthrust The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object floating in it.

gravitational force The force acting on an object due to gravity.

magnetic force The force exerted by a magnetic field on a magnetic material.

The force of the air acting on a moving bus. air resistance

We can’t see forces but we can see their effects on objects.

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• A gravitational field is found around an object with mass.

Force Contact Non-Contact

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2. Draw the diagram onto a sheet of paper. On your diagram:

- write a letter S where the magnetic force is the strongest

- write a letter W where the magnetic force is the weakest

Can’t edit this PDF? Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here

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