non-contact forces

Non-contact forces are forces that can push or pull an object without the two objects touching.

• They act through an invisible force field around an object. The force may become weaker as the distance increases.
• Magnetic force is one example: a magnet can pull a paper clip towards it even when there is a gap between them.
• Gravitational force is another: Earth pulls objects towards its centre, making a dropped ball fall to the ground.
• Electrostatic force can also act at a distance. For example, a rubbed balloon may attract tiny pieces of paper without touching them first.

Although nothing visible connects the objects, the force can still change an object’s motion, direction, or shape.