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Exploring Contact and Non-Contact Forces – GCSE Physics Guide

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Zofia @zofia_577

Forces are everywhere around you - from the pull of gravity keeping your feet on the ground to... Show more

Contact & Non-contact Forces
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On Knowunity
Forces (Unit: Newton + Vector Quantity)
a push or pull that acts on an object due to the inte

Contact & Non-contact Forces

Forces are simply pushes or pulls that act on objects, measured in Newtons and always having both size and direction (making them vector quantities). Think of forces as invisible hands constantly pushing and pulling everything around you.

Non-contact forces work their magic without objects actually touching each other. The three main ones you'll encounter are gravitational force (like Earth pulling you down), magnetic force (like magnets attracting metal), and electrostatic force (like when your hair sticks to a balloon after rubbing it).

Contact forces only happen when objects are physically touching. These include friction (which stops you slipping on ice), tension theforceinaropewhenyoureplayingtugofwarthe force in a rope when you're playing tug-of-war, and resistance (like air resistance slowing down a falling parachute).

Key Insight When contact forces act between two objects, Newton's Third Law kicks in - both objects feel the same size force but in opposite directions. So when you push a wall, it pushes back on you with equal force!

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Physics

104

12 Dec 2025

1 page

Exploring Contact and Non-Contact Forces – GCSE Physics Guide

user profile picture

Zofia

@zofia_577

Forces are everywhere around you - from the pull of gravity keeping your feet on the ground to the friction that stops you sliding off your chair. Understanding the difference between contact and non-contact forces is crucial for mastering physics... Show more

Contact & Non-contact Forces
Tags
On Knowunity
Forces (Unit: Newton + Vector Quantity)
a push or pull that acts on an object due to the inte

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Contact & Non-contact Forces

Forces are simply pushes or pulls that act on objects, measured in Newtons and always having both size and direction (making them vector quantities). Think of forces as invisible hands constantly pushing and pulling everything around you.

Non-contact forces work their magic without objects actually touching each other. The three main ones you'll encounter are gravitational force (like Earth pulling you down), magnetic force (like magnets attracting metal), and electrostatic force (like when your hair sticks to a balloon after rubbing it).

Contact forces only happen when objects are physically touching. These include friction (which stops you slipping on ice), tension theforceinaropewhenyoureplayingtugofwarthe force in a rope when you're playing tug-of-war, and resistance (like air resistance slowing down a falling parachute).

Key Insight: When contact forces act between two objects, Newton's Third Law kicks in - both objects feel the same size force but in opposite directions. So when you push a wall, it pushes back on you with equal force!

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Samantha Klich

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Anna

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user