non-contact force
Definition
A non-contact force is a force that is exerted on an object without the two objects actually touching. Some examples of non-contact forces include:
- Gravity: Gravity is the force that attracts all objects with mass towards each other. It is the force that keeps us on the ground and the planets in orbit around the sun.
- Magnetism: Magnets have a force called magnetism that can attract or repel other magnets without touching them.
- Electricity: Electric charges can attract or repel each other without touching. This is because electricity is a form of energy that can create a non-contact force.
Non-contact forces are important in many different ways. For example, gravity is responsible for the formation of stars and planets. Magnetism is used to create compasses and motors. Electricity is used to power lights and appliances.
How can the word be used?
The electromagnetic force is a non-contact force that attracts or repels charged particles.
Different forms of the word
The word "non-contact force" does not have any different forms. It is a compound word that is made up of the prefix "non-," which means "not," and the noun "contact force," which means a force that acts between two objects that are in contact with each other.
Etymology
The word "non-contact force" was first used in the early 20th century. It was used to describe forces that were not understood at the time. However, scientists have since learned a great deal about non-contact forces, and they now play an important role in our understanding of the universe.
Question
What is a non-contact force?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Define the concept of a non-contact force and provide an example to illustrate its application in the real world.
Answer:
A non-contact force refers to a force that acts on an object without any physical contact between the objects involved. Unlike contact forces, which result from direct interaction between objects, non-contact forces occur at a distance due to the presence of fields, such as gravitational, magnetic, and electrostatic fields.
An excellent example of a non-contact force is the gravitational force exerted by the Earth on objects. When we drop an object, like a ball, from a certain height, it falls towards the ground due to the Earth's gravitational pull. The Earth's mass creates a gravitational field that extends throughout space, and objects within this field experience a force of attraction towards the centre of the Earth. Importantly, this force exists even though the ball and the Earth are not physically touching each other.
Non-contact forces are fundamental to understanding various natural phenomena and designing technologies. For instance, electromagnetic forces, which include both magnetic and electrostatic forces, are vital in technologies like MRI machines and levitating trains. The concept of non-contact forces extends our understanding of how interactions occur in the absence of direct touch and is crucial in both theoretical physics and practical applications.