Types of forces

Force is a physical cause that can change the state of motion or the dimensions of an object. There are two types of forces based on their applications:

1. Contact Force
2. Non-Contact Force

Contact Force

Forces which act on a body either directly or through a medium are called contact forces.

Examples of contact forces are:

• muscular force
• mechanical force
• frictional force

We can make use of muscular force of animals like bullocks, horses and camels to get the activities done. The <a href="https://byjus.com/physics/frictional-force/">frictional force</a> is another type of contact force which acts between a pair of a surface in contact and tends to oppose the motion of one surface over the other.

Non-Contact Force

Forces which act through spaces without making direct contact with the body are called non-contact forces.

Examples of non-contact forces are:

• gravitational force
• electrostatic force
• magnetic force

The force exerted by a magnet on other magnets is called magnetic force. Magnetic force and electrostatic force act on an object from a distance, that’s the reason they are non-contact forces. The strength of gravity is an attractive force which is exerted by the Earth on objects which make them fall to the land. The weight of a body is the force which is pulled by the earth towards the centre.