Examples of Contact Forces
Physics: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.2.2
Contact Forces
Contact forces happen when two objects are physically touching. Examples include:
Friction
- Friction comes about whenever two surfaces are touching and try to move against each other.
- Tiny bumps in the surface interlock (overlap or fit together). This creates a frictional force that opposes their motion.
Air resistance
- Air resistance comes about when an object moves through air and collides with (hits) air molecules.
- This create a force that slows the object down.
Tension
- Tension is the pulling force that a string or cable exerts (creates) when something or someone pulls on it.
Normal contact force
- When you push on a table, your hand doesn't move through it.
- This is because the normal contact force from the table pushes equally on your hand.
Test yourself on Examples of Contact Forces
Which of these is an example of a contact force?
Which of these are examples of contact forces?