Lesson 6.

Types of Forces

General Physics 1/2

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Legend had it that the eminent scientist Sir Isaac
Newton was hit on his head by an apple that fell
from a tree.

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This was far from true,
however, and no
written evidence has
been published to
support such an
event.
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Historical accounts
state that upon
Newton’s return to
Cambridge to escape
the bubonic plague in
1667, he witnessed an
apple fall from a tree
while in an orchard.
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This lesson begins the long yet rewarding
journey to explore the marvelous physics
behind force and motion.

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What are the different types of
force?

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 Force

Force is usually referred to as the pull or push exerted upon

an object as it interacts with another object.

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 Force

● The vector F is distinguished according to (1) its direction,

and (2) its magnitude, or the amount of strength of the
push or pull.

● The magnitude of force is expressed by the SI unit

newton (N).

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Force

A spring balance is used to measure force.

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Remember

Force refers to the pull or push

exerted upon an object as it interacts
with another object. The SI unit for
force is newton (N). One newton is
equivalent to 1 kg x m/s2. This means
that it will take 1 N to accelerate 1 kg
at a rate of 1 m/s2.

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 Contact Forces

Contact Forces

● an interaction that brings about a direct physical contact

between two objects is caused by what is called a contact
force
● has three major types:
1. normal force
2. friction force
3. tension force
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 Contact Forces

Normal Force
● Normal force n (or N) refers to the force exerted upon an
object by the surface with which it is in contact with.
● This force is perpendicular to the surface, regardless of
its angle.

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 Contact Forces

Friction Force
● Friction force f refers to the force exerted upon an object
by a surface, such that the force is parallel to it.

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 Contact Forces

Tension Force
● Tension force T refers to the pulling force exerted upon
an object by a cord it is attached to.

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 Contact Forces

Other kinds of contact forces include air resistance force,

applied force, and spring force.

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 Contact Forces

Other kinds of contact forces include air resistance force,

applied force, and spring force.
● Air resistance force is a force opposite the relative
motion of the object as it moves through the air.

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 Contact Forces

Other kinds of contact forces include air resistance force,

applied force, and spring force.
● Air resistance force is a force opposite the relative
motion of the object as it moves through the air.
● Applied force is a force applied to an object by a person
or another object.

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 Contact Forces

Other kinds of contact forces include air resistance force,

applied force, and spring force.
● Air resistance force is a force opposite the relative
motion of the object as it moves through the air.
● Applied force is a force applied to an object by a person
or another object.
● The spring force, or sometimes called restoring force, is
a force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring to
an object.
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What is a contact force?

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 Noncontact Forces

● Noncontact forces, or long-range or action-at-a-

distance forces, act between objects that are distant and
are separated by vacant space.
● Some examples include:
1. Magnetic Force
2. Electric Force
3. Gravitational Force

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 Noncontact Forces

Magnetic Force
Magnetic force is responsible for the repulsion or attraction
between moving charged particles.

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 Noncontact Forces

Electric Force
Electric force is the force exerted by one electric charge to
another, both for stationary and moving charges.

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 Noncontact Forces

Gravitational Force
Gravitational force
refers to the force
responsible for
attracting two objects
that have mass, or
the amount of matter
available in an object.

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What is a noncontact force?

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 Fundamental Forces

All the known fundamental forces found in nature are field

or noncontact forces.

1. The strong nuclear force keeps the atoms from

separating together due to the electric force from the
repulsion of the protons.

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 Fundamental Forces

All the known fundamental forces found in nature are field

or noncontact forces.

2. The electromagnetic forces between electric charges can

either be attractive or repulsive. It explains the
interaction between moving and static charges. They also
act at extremely large distances.

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 Fundamental Forces

All the known fundamental forces found in nature are field

or noncontact forces.

3. The weak nuclear force is found in radioactive processes.

It is also responsible for the nuclear reactions that
generate the Sun’s energy output.

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 Fundamental Forces

All the known fundamental forces found in nature are field

or noncontact forces.

4. The gravitational force, as mentioned above, is the force

responsible for attracting two objects with mass. In
astronomical systems, it determines the motion of
moons, planets, stars, and galaxies. It also affects the
nature of time and space.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Force refers to the pull or push exerted upon an

object as it interacts with another object. The SI
unit for force is newton (N). One newton is
equivalent to 1 kg-m/s2.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● An interaction that brings about a direct physical

contact between two objects is caused by a
contact force. Three kinds of contact forces
include (1) normal force, (2) friction force, and (3)
tension force.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Noncontact forces act between objects that are

distant and are separated by vacant space. These
include (1) magnetic force, (2) electric force, and
(2) gravitational force.
● Mass refers to the amount of matter available in
an object. This is commonly distinguished from
weight, which is the gravitational force that Earth
exerts upon an object.
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Challenge Yourself

If Earth’s mass would be split in half,

would your weight now remain the
same? Justify your answer.

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