Chapter - 10

FORCE AND FRICTION (Part – 2)

Answer the following:

4. What are contact forces? Explain briefly with some examples.

Forces that act on objects by direct or indirect physical contact are called contact
forces.
Example : Applied force, frictional force

a) Applied force:
i. The forces that we apply with our hands, legs, fingers, etc are collectively
called applied forces.
ii. Applied force can be exerted only when objects are in physical contact and
hence it is a contact force.
iii. Example : Lifting a school bag , Kicking a football

b) Frictional force:
i. The resistance to motion experienced when two surfaces in contact move
with respect to each other is called friction.
ii. Frictional force comes into play only when two surfaces are in physical
contact and hence it is a contact force.
iii. Example: A ball rolled on the ground stops after a short distance,
A bicycle stops after moving some distance when we stop
pedalling.

5. What are non-contact forces? Explain briefly with suitable examples.

Forces that do not need physical contact with the object on which they are acting
are called non-contact forces.
Example : Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.

a) Gravitational force:
i. The force with which objects pull each other is called gravitational force.
ii. The gravitational force of the earth keeps us bound to the earth.
Gravitational force makes the earth move around the sun and also makes
the moon go around the earth.
iii. Our weight is the gravitational force of the earth acting on us.
iv. Different objects exert different magnitudes of gravitational force.
The gravitational force of the moon is about one-sixth that of the earth.
v. Gravitational force is always attractive in nature.

b) Electrostatic force:
 i. The force between electric charges is called electrostatic force.
ii. Ex : If we rub a plastic object like a pen, comb or CD with hair and bring it
close to tiny bits of paper, the bits of paper get attracted to the plastic
object.
iii. Tiny particles of dust and smoke can also be attracted by electrostatic
force. This method is used in electric air purifiers and in factories to purify
air in chimneys before letting it escape into the atmosphere.
iv. Electrostatic force can be attractive or repulsive in nature.

c) Magnetic force:
i. The force exerted by magnets on each other and on metals like iron and
nickel is called magnetic force.
ii. Since magnets attract iron they are used to separate waste iron objects
from garbage dumps so that they can be recycled.
iii. Magnetic force can be attractive or repulsive in nature.