Non-Contact Force
Force is simply a push or pull. Forces are when one object makes a second object do
something. Forces are drawn as arrows. The arrows show which way the force is going.
There are two types of force: contact forces and non-contact forces. Contact forces are
when two objects touch each other. This may be a ball rolling into another ball and the
second ball moves. 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 touching. There are three 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 pulled by the force of
gravity.
On Earth, we can jump and we
will come back down. But on the
moon, if you jump hard enough, you
would not come back down, you
would float away into space! This is
because there is less gravity on the
moon than on Earth. Gravity pulls
you and other things around us
towards the ground.
An example of gravitational force is
when you drop something. It will
fall straight to the ground.
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Non-Contant Force
Electrostatic Force
Electrostatic force is static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another object. This
force can be used to push or pull another object without touching.
An example of electrostatic force is when
you rub a balloon on your shirt or jumper,
then move the balloon near some scraps of
paper. The electrostatic force in the balloon
will pull the paper onto the balloon! The
scraps of paper sticking to the balloon is
the electrostatic force keeping the paper on
the balloon.
Magnetic Force
Magnetic force uses magnetic fields to
push or pull another object. A magnetic
object will pull or push other magnetic
objects. Only some objects will be able
to use magnetic force. A magnet is an
example of magnetic force. Think about
the magnets on a fridge. The magnet
is pulling the metal on the front of the
fridge.
If you glue the magnet onto a piece of paper and hold the paper close to the fridge, the
magnet will pull itself, and the paper, towards the fridge. Sometimes, a magnet can push
another object away without touching it.
Sometimes, force needs to make one object contact another object to make it move. We
call this contact force. Othertimes, one object can make force without contact. We call
this non-contact force. Remember, force is all around us. It is just a push or pull.
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension
1.1. What are the 3 types of non-contact force?
2.2. What is force?
3.3. What is gravitational force?
4.4. What is electrostatic force?
5.5. What is magnetic force?
6.6. Draw a picture of gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension - Answers
1. What are the 3 types of non-contact force?
Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
2. What is force?
Force is a push or pull.
3. What is gravitational force?
Gravitational force is when one object is pulled by the force of gravity.
4. What is electrostatic force?
Electrostatic force is static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another
object.
5. What is magnetic force?
Magnetic force uses magnetic fields to push or pull another object.
6. Draw a picture of gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
Student images should
include 2 objects and at
least one arrow.
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Non-Contact Force
Force is simply a push or pull in a particular direction. Forces happen when one object
interacts with another object. Forces are usually shown by arrows. The arrows show
which way the force is acting.
There are two main types of force: contact forces and non-contact forces. Contact forces
are when two objects touch 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 on it, 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 touching 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
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, you would float away into space.
This is because there is much less gravity
on the moon than there is on Earth. Gravity
pulls you and the things around us towards
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 because of friction between two objects that has already happened. The friction
makes electrostatic force in one of the objects. This force can then be used to push or pull
another object without touching.
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. 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 the
electrostatic force keeping the paper on
the balloon.
Magnetic Force
Magnetic force 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. A magnet attracts (pulls) other
magnetic objects. Think about the magnets
on a fridge - the magnet is attracting
(pulling) the metal on the front of the
fridge and holding the magnet on the
fridge.
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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. Sometimes, a magnet will repel or push
another object away, without touching it. This happens when
two magnets have the same pole facing each other.
Sometimes, force needs to make one object contact another object to make it move. We
call this contact force. Othertimes, one object can make force without contact. We call
this non-contact force. Remember, force is all around us. It is just a push or pull.
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension
1.1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?
2.2. What is force?
3.3. What does non-contact mean?
4.4. What is gravitational force?
5.5. What is electrostatic force?
6.6. What is magnetic force?
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension
7.1. Where might we see gravitational force OR electrostatic force OR magnetic force?
8.2. When have you experienced a non-contact force?
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension - Answers
1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?
Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
2. What is force?
Force is a push or pull in a particular direction.
3. What does non-contact mean?
Not coming into physical contact.
4. What is gravitational force?
Gravitational force is when one object is pulled by the force of gravity.
5. What is electrostatic force?
Electrostatic force is static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another
object.
6. What is magnetic force?
A non-contact force that uses magnetic fields to push or pull another object.
7. Where might we see gravitational force OR electrostatic force OR magnetic force?
A perfect example of gravitational force is when you drop something out of your
hand. It will fall straight to the ground.
OR
When you move the balloon close to the scraps of paper, the paper will be pulled
towards the balloon, often sticking to the balloon!
OR
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.
8. When have you experienced a non-contact force?
Answers will vary.
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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 noncontact 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
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 pulls you and the things around
us towards 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 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.
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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 noncontact force. Remember, force is all around us. It is just a push or pull.
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension
1.1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?
2.2. What is force?
3.3. What does non-contact mean?
4.4. What is gravitational force?
5.5. What is electrostatic force?
6.6. What is magnetic force?
7.7. Where might we see gravitational force?
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension
8.1. Where might we see electrostatic force?
9.2. Where might we see magnetic force?
3. When have you experienced a non-contact force?
10.
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Non-Contact Force Comprehension - Answers
1. What are the 3 main types of non-contact force?
Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
2. What is force?
Force is a push or pull in a particular direction.
3. What does non-contact mean?
Not coming into physical contact.
4. What is gravitational force?
Gravitational force is when one object is pulled by the force of gravity.
5. What is electrostatic force?
Electrostatic force is static electricity in one object pushing or pulling another
object.
6. What is magnetic force?
A non-contact force that uses magnetic fields to push or pull another object.
7. Where might we see gravitational force?
A perfect example of gravitational force is when you drop something out of your
hand. It will fall straight to the ground.
8. Where might we see electrostatic force?
When you move the balloon close to the scraps of paper, the paper will be pulled
towards the balloon, often sticking to the balloon!
9. Where might we see 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.
10. Where might we see gravitational force?
Answers will vary.
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