Introduction to forces

• A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.

• Force is measured in newtons (N).

• Forces are divided into contact forces and non-contact forces.

A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.

Force is measured in newtons (N).

There are two main categories of forces - contact forces and non-contact forces.

Did you know?

You cannot see a force but you can see its effect. For example, when you apply a force to push a door open.

A physical quantity is something that can be measured.

Quantities can be a scalar quantity or a vector quantity.

Scalar quantities only have a magnitude.

Vector quantities have both a magnitude and a direction.

Vector quantities are represented using arrows. The larger the arrow the greater the magnitude of the vector.

Force is an example of a vector quantity.

The diagram below shows some examples of vector quantities. The arrow shows the direction.

The length of the arrow shows the magnitude, eg the size of the force in the first arrow.

Contact forces act between two objects that are physically touching.

Here are some examples of contact forces:

Tension

Tension is a pulling force exerted on an object by a string, rope or rod.

Friction

When two objects slide past each other they experience friction.

Friction is a force that acts between two touching surfaces and prevents or resists them moving against each other.

Air resistance

When an object moves through the air it experiences air resistance. This force acts against the direction of movement.

The faster the object is travelling the greater the air resistance.

Upthrust

Upthrust is an upwards force that acts on an object when it is in a fluid (a liquid or gas).

Thrust

Thrust is a driving force exerted by an engine to make an object move.

Normal reaction force

When an object pushes on a surface like a table, wall or the ground, the surface pushes back on the object with a balancing force.

The normal reaction force always acts at right angles to the surface.

Non-contact forces act between two objects that are not physically touching.

Magnetic force

Magnetic force is experienced by a magnet or a magnetic material, eg iron, when placed in a magnetic field.

This force can pull the two objects together or push them apart.

Electrostatic force

Electrostatic force is experienced by a charged particle in an electric field.

This force can be either attractive or repulsive.

Gravitational force

Gravitational force is experienced by a mass when it is sufficiently close to another mass.

Gravity always pulls two objects towards each other. It never pushes them apart.

In the diagram, Earth pulls the satellite and the satellite pulls Earth. The forces are equal in size and opposite in direction.

When forces act on objects they can have the following effects:

• The object can speed up or slow down. Think about a race car travelling in a straight line whilst it speeds up and slows down.

• The object can change direction. Think about a satellite orbiting Earth – the gravitational attraction between the satellite and Earth causes the circular motion.

• The shape of the object can change. Think about squeezing a foam ball.

A force meter, also known as a newton meter, can be used to measure the size of a force.

Force meters have a spring inside them. The weight of the mass causes the spring to stretch.

It is important to ‘zero’ the force meter before you use it. This means adjusting it so that the reading is zero when there is no force acting on it.

If you don’t ‘zero’ the force meter, all your measurements will be inaccurate by the same amount. This is called a systematic error.

Looking for extra resources to supercharge your physics lessons? In this series of short explainer films, Professor Brian Cox dives deep and explains key concepts surrounding forces, speed and motion.

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