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Contact and Non Contact Force - Definition, Examples, Types, Difference, FAQs

Contact and Non Contact Force - Definition, Examples, Types, Difference, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:08 PM IST

Have you ever tried to push a door open or felt gravity pull you the moment you jumped? These are the Forces we encounter in our daily lives. Push or pull is a force that changes or motions or shape of an object. This article will focus on the definition, types, and examples of contact forces and non-contact forces. In addition, we will learn how they affect the motion and behavior of objects around us.

This Story also Contains
  1. Define Contact Force
  2. Define Non-Contact Force
  3. Difference Between Contact and Non-Contact Forces
Contact and Non Contact Force - Definition, Examples, Types, Difference, FAQs
Contact and Non Contact Force - Definition, Examples, Types, Difference, FAQs

Define Contact Force

Contact Force is defined is the Force that comes into contact with another object. A force that only functions when two bodies come into physical touch. These force act on the point of contact and results in pushing, pulling, or friction.

Magnitude of Contact Force:

To determine the magnitude of contact force, first, we have to identify the nature of interaction between the objects. Now let's discuss the different scenarios to calculate the magnitude of contact force:

Contact Force on a Stationary Object

If the object is placed on a normal flat surface, then contact force will become equal to the normal force.

Fcontact =Fnormal =mg

where:
m : Mass of the object
g : Acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2)

Contact Force on an Object on an Inclined Plane

If an object is placed on an inclined surface then the magnitude of contact force will be equal to the vector sum of normal force and frictional force.

Fcontact =Fnormal 2+Ffriction 2

Fnormal =mgcosθ
Ffriction =μFnormal =μmgcosθ
( μ : Coefficient of friction, θ : Angle of the incline)

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Background wave

Types of Contact Force

Contact forces can be classified into different types. Let's look at these types in brief :

  1. Frictional Force: Force that opposes relative motion between two surfaces in contact.
  2. Normal Force: A surface force perpendicular to an object in contact with that surface.
  3. Tension Force: If you pull a string, rope or cable tight, you send a force through it.
  4. Applied Force: The force applied by one person or object to another person or object.
  5. Spring Force: The force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring on that object attached to it.

Examples of Contact Forces

When you stretch the spring out of its resting state, it will begin to oscillate from its mean position. The spring, however, returns to its original position after a period of time due to the influence of restoring force.

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Define Non-Contact Force

A force applied to an object by a body that is not in direct touch with it is known as a non-contact force. When objects do not make physical touch with one another or when a force is exerted without interaction, non-contact forces are at work.

Types of Non-Contact forces:

Different types of Non-contact forces are listed below:

Gravitational Force- The force of attraction between two objects due to their masses. It acts over a distance and depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them.

Electrostatic Force- The attraction or repulsion of any charged objects. Like charges repel and unlike charges attract.

Magnetic Force- Force experienced by a magnet when placed in a magnetic field.

Nuclear Force- Nuclear force is furthur divided into two types:

Strong Nuclear Force- The force that keeps the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom.

Weak Nuclear Forces- Responsible for issues like radioactive decay and certain nuclear reactions.

Examples of non-contact forces:

Example 1:

Electricity is generated in your home by an invisible force acting on electrons travelling through the wiring of your equipment. Do you have any idea how it happens?

The flow of electrons in a wire is caused by the electric force, which contains millions of electrons in random motion.

Example 2:

Let's say you tied a wire around an iron nail, and when you supply current, a magnetic field forms around it. Do you have any idea why this happens? When current flows over a wire, millions of electrons make random motions, and these random electrons align in the desired direction, resulting in the formation of a magnetic field.

Now, under the influence of magnetic force, or attraction force, iron filings are drawn to the iron nail (or a magnet).

Difference Between Contact and Non-Contact Forces

Contact force

Non-contact force

Only when there is a physical effort (push or pull) on an object can the forces act.These forces are invisible by nature and can act without requiring any physical effort.

Vector fields can be used to depict contact forces.
Non-contact forces cannot be represented using vector fields
The contact force is not linked with any field.The non-contact force is related with a particular field.
Because of the friction between two palms, friction between two bodies in contact, such as rubbing palms, produces heat.Because of gravity, a ball that is soaring in the sky will eventually fall to the ground.
Example- When the bus abruptly stops, a dozing man awakens.Example- When you combine the North poles of two magnets, you'll see that they repel each other. When you change the direction of one of the magnets, you'll notice that they attract each other.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Differentiate between contact and non-contact forces.

A contact force is a force that acts between two bodies in contact. For example, the contact force is created when you push a table against the wall or when you pull anything upwards since there is direct touch between you and the object you are pulling. Between bodies that are not in direct contact, a non-contact force acts. An apple, for example, fell on Newton due to the unseen force of gravity.

2. Define contact force.

Contact Force is defined as the force that comes into contact with another object.


A force that only functions when two bodies come into physical touch.


Newton's second law of motion was discussed. It claims that applying force to a body of mass ‘m' causes it to accelerate


If the mass of the body is ‘m,' and the acceleration it achieves after being subjected to force is ‘a,' then the force equation is:


 F = ma

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

 Non-contact forces are listed below:

  1. The force of gravity

  2. The combination of electric force and magnetic force commonly referred to as Electromagnetic force

  3. Nuclear force 

4. Give examples of a non-contact force?

The force that does not make contact. Non-contact or action-at-a-distance forces include magnetism. These are forces that can act on an object even if they are not physically touching it. Another example is the force of gravity. As a result, gravity will pull a raindrop down to Earth despite the fact that there is no physical connection between the Earth and the drop.

5. Is tension a force that does not make contact?

The forces that emerge from the interaction of objects that come into contact with each other are known as contact forces. Friction, air resistance, applied force, tension force, and spring force are examples of these. Non-contact forces are produced by the interaction of objects that are not in direct contact with one another.

6. Can you give examples of contact forces in everyday life?
Common examples of contact forces include friction (between shoes and floor), normal force (book resting on a table), tension (in a rope pulling an object), and applied force (pushing a shopping cart). These forces all involve direct physical contact between objects.
7. How do contact forces relate to Newton's Third Law of Motion?
Contact forces always occur in pairs, as described by Newton's Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you push on a wall (action), the wall pushes back on you with equal force (reaction).
8. What role do contact forces play in friction?
Contact forces are essential for friction. The normal force (perpendicular to the surface) and the irregularities of the surfaces in contact contribute to the frictional force, which opposes motion between the surfaces.
9. How does air resistance fit into the classification of forces?
Air resistance is a contact force, despite the fact that air is not visible. It occurs due to the collision of air molecules with the surface of a moving object, creating a drag force that opposes the object's motion.
10. Can a single object experience both contact and non-contact forces simultaneously?
Yes, objects often experience both types of forces simultaneously. For example, a book on a table experiences the contact force of the table (normal force) and the non-contact force of Earth's gravity simultaneously.
11. How do non-contact forces affect the motion of planets?
Non-contact forces, primarily gravity, govern the motion of planets. The gravitational attraction between a planet and its star keeps the planet in orbit, while the same force between planets influences their trajectories, all without direct physical contact.
12. What is the relationship between electric and magnetic forces?
Electric and magnetic forces are two aspects of the electromagnetic force, a fundamental non-contact force. Moving electric charges create magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields induce electric fields, demonstrating their interconnected nature.
13. How do non-contact forces influence atomic structure?
Non-contact forces, specifically the electromagnetic force and nuclear forces, are crucial in atomic structure. The electromagnetic force holds electrons in orbitals around the nucleus, while nuclear forces bind protons and neutrons within the nucleus.
14. Can non-contact forces cause deformation in objects?
Yes, non-contact forces can cause deformation. For instance, tidal forces (a gravitational effect) can deform planets and moons, creating tidal bulges without direct physical contact between the bodies.
15. What is the role of non-contact forces in particle physics?
Non-contact forces, particularly the strong and weak nuclear forces, play a crucial role in particle physics. They govern the interactions between subatomic particles, holding quarks together to form protons and neutrons, and facilitating certain types of radioactive decay.
16. What is the fundamental difference between contact and non-contact forces?
Contact forces require physical touch between objects to exert influence, while non-contact forces can act at a distance without direct physical contact. This distinction is crucial in understanding how different forces operate in nature.
17. What are some examples of non-contact forces?
Non-contact forces include gravitational force (Earth's pull on objects), electromagnetic force (attraction or repulsion between charged particles), and nuclear forces (strong and weak forces within atomic nuclei). These forces can act across empty space without physical contact.
18. How does gravity work as a non-contact force?
Gravity is a fundamental force that attracts objects with mass towards each other. It acts at a distance through gravitational fields, allowing planets to orbit stars and objects to fall towards Earth without direct contact.
19. Why is friction considered a contact force?
Friction is a contact force because it only occurs when two surfaces are in direct physical contact and moving (or trying to move) relative to each other. The interaction between the microscopic irregularities of the surfaces creates the frictional force.
20. Can non-contact forces be shielded or blocked?
Some non-contact forces can be shielded or reduced, but not completely blocked. For example, electromagnetic forces can be shielded by certain materials, but gravitational forces cannot be shielded or blocked by any known means.
21. Why is the normal force considered a contact force?
The normal force is a contact force because it only exists when two surfaces are in direct physical contact. It acts perpendicular to the surface of contact and is a result of the electromagnetic repulsion between atoms in the objects.
22. How do contact forces affect energy transfer between objects?
Contact forces facilitate energy transfer through work done when objects interact. For example, when you push a box across a floor, the applied force (a contact force) transfers kinetic energy to the box, causing it to move.
23. How do contact forces relate to pressure?
Pressure is defined as force per unit area and is often associated with contact forces. When an object rests on a surface, the contact force (normal force) distributed over the area of contact creates pressure on the surface.
24. How do contact forces affect friction at the microscopic level?
At the microscopic level, contact forces between the tiny irregularities of surfaces create friction. These forces cause interlocking of surface asperities and formation/breaking of microscopic welds, which contribute to the overall frictional force.
25. Can non-contact forces be infinitely long-range?
Theoretically, some non-contact forces like gravity and electromagnetism have infinite range, becoming weaker with distance but never reaching zero. However, in practice, their effects become negligible at very large distances due to the inverse square law.
26. How do contact forces contribute to the sensation of touch?
The sensation of touch is primarily a result of contact forces. When you touch an object, the contact force between your skin and the object stimulates nerve endings, allowing you to perceive texture, temperature, and pressure.
27. What is the difference between static and kinetic friction?
Both static and kinetic friction are contact forces, but static friction prevents objects from starting to move, while kinetic friction opposes the motion of objects already in motion. Static friction is typically greater than kinetic friction.
28. How do non-contact forces influence the structure of the universe?
Non-contact forces, primarily gravity, shape the large-scale structure of the universe. Gravitational attraction causes matter to clump together, forming galaxies, stars, and planets, while also influencing the overall expansion of the universe.
29. Can contact forces act at the atomic level?
Yes, contact forces can act at the atomic level. For example, when atoms come very close together, the electron clouds of neighboring atoms repel each other, creating a contact force that prevents atoms from occupying the same space.
30. How do non-contact forces affect the behavior of charged particles?
Non-contact electromagnetic forces govern the behavior of charged particles. Like charges repel and opposite charges attract, influencing the motion and arrangement of charged particles without physical contact.
31. What is the relationship between contact forces and Newton's First Law of Motion?
Contact forces often act as the external forces that change an object's state of motion, as described in Newton's First Law. For example, the contact force of friction can bring a moving object to rest, changing its state of motion.
32. How do non-contact forces contribute to the stability of atoms?
Non-contact forces, specifically the electromagnetic force and strong nuclear force, are crucial for atomic stability. The electromagnetic force keeps electrons in orbit around the nucleus, while the strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
33. Can contact forces exist in a vacuum?
Contact forces require physical interaction between objects, so they cannot exist in a perfect vacuum where there are no particles to interact. However, in practice, even in near-vacuum conditions, some contact forces may still occur due to residual particles.
34. How do non-contact forces affect the motion of charged particles in magnetic fields?
The magnetic force, a non-contact force, causes charged particles to move in curved paths when they enter a magnetic field. This force is perpendicular to both the particle's velocity and the magnetic field lines, resulting in circular or helical motion.
35. What is the role of contact forces in the concept of mechanical advantage?
Contact forces play a crucial role in mechanical advantage. Simple machines like levers and pulleys use contact forces to redistribute the applied force over a larger distance, reducing the effort required to perform work.
36. How do non-contact forces influence chemical bonding?
Non-contact electromagnetic forces are fundamental to chemical bonding. They govern the attraction between electrons and nuclei, as well as the repulsion between like charges, determining the formation and characteristics of chemical bonds.
37. Can contact forces ever become non-contact forces?
Contact forces remain distinct from non-contact forces, but their effects can sometimes appear similar to non-contact forces. For example, the apparent repulsion between two surfaces due to the Casimir effect is actually caused by quantum fluctuations, not a true non-contact force.
38. How do contact and non-contact forces differ in their dependence on distance?
Non-contact forces typically follow inverse square laws, decreasing with the square of the distance between objects. Contact forces, however, only act when objects are touching and don't have the same distance dependence.
39. What role do contact forces play in the concept of impulse?
Contact forces are crucial in understanding impulse, which is the product of force and time of application. In collisions, the contact forces between objects create an impulse that changes their momentum.
40. How do non-contact forces affect the behavior of fluids?
Non-contact forces, particularly gravity, significantly influence fluid behavior. Gravity causes pressure gradients in fluids, leading to phenomena like buoyancy and convection currents.
41. Can non-contact forces ever create the appearance of contact forces?
In some cases, non-contact forces can create effects that appear similar to contact forces. For example, magnetic levitation uses non-contact magnetic forces to support an object, mimicking the effect of a contact force like the normal force.
42. How do contact forces relate to the concept of stress in materials?
Contact forces are directly related to stress in materials. When external contact forces are applied to an object, they create internal forces (stress) that can lead to deformation or failure of the material.
43. What is the significance of non-contact forces in quantum mechanics?
Non-contact forces, particularly electromagnetic and nuclear forces, are fundamental in quantum mechanics. They govern the behavior of particles at the quantum level, influencing phenomena like electron orbitals and nuclear decay.
44. How do contact forces contribute to energy dissipation in mechanical systems?
Contact forces, especially friction, play a major role in energy dissipation. When objects slide against each other, the work done by friction converts mechanical energy into heat, dissipating energy from the system.
45. Can non-contact forces ever be attractive and repulsive simultaneously?
Yes, some non-contact forces can be both attractive and repulsive. The electromagnetic force, for instance, causes like charges to repel and opposite charges to attract. Similarly, the strong nuclear force is attractive at certain distances but becomes repulsive at very short ranges.
46. How do contact forces affect the distribution of pressure in fluids?
Contact forces between fluid particles and container walls lead to pressure distribution in fluids. According to Pascal's principle, pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in all directions, a consequence of these contact forces.
47. What is the role of non-contact forces in the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction?
Non-contact electromagnetic forces are central to electromagnetic induction. A changing magnetic field induces an electric field (and vice versa) without physical contact, allowing for the generation of electricity in generators and transformers.
48. How do contact forces contribute to the concept of torque?
Contact forces often create torque when applied at a distance from an object's axis of rotation. The perpendicular component of the contact force and its distance from the axis determine the magnitude of the torque, causing rotational acceleration.
49. Can non-contact forces ever cancel each other out completely?
Yes, non-contact forces can cancel each other out. For example, in an atom, the attractive electric force between the protons and electrons is balanced by the repulsive force due to the electron's angular momentum, resulting in stable electron orbitals.
50. How do contact forces relate to the concept of elastic and inelastic collisions?
Contact forces are crucial in collisions. In elastic collisions, the contact forces conserve both momentum and kinetic energy. In inelastic collisions, some energy is dissipated due to deformation or heat, but momentum is still conserved.
51. What is the significance of non-contact forces in the study of plasma physics?
Non-contact electromagnetic forces dominate the behavior of plasmas. The motion of charged particles in plasmas is governed by long-range electromagnetic interactions, leading to complex collective behaviors and phenomena like magnetic confinement.
52. How do contact forces affect the propagation of sound waves?
Sound waves propagate through media via contact forces between particles. As particles vibrate, they exert forces on neighboring particles, creating compressions and rarefactions that transmit the sound energy through the medium.
53. Can non-contact forces ever lead to the creation of new particles?
Yes, non-contact forces can lead to particle creation. In high-energy physics, the strong nuclear force can create particle-antiparticle pairs from energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc².
54. How do contact forces contribute to the phenomenon of static electricity?
Contact forces play a role in static electricity through the triboelectric effect. When certain materials are brought into contact and then separated, electrons can be transferred from one material to another due to the contact forces, resulting in static charge buildup.
55. What is the relationship between non-contact forces and the concept of field in physics?
Non-contact forces are often described using the concept of fields in physics. Gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields represent the influence of non-contact forces in space, allowing us to calculate the force on objects at any point within the field.

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