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🧲 Contact and Non-Contact Forces

Some forces need a touch (friction, pushes) and some reach across a gap (gravity, magnetism, static). Learn to sort every force by one simple question: do they touch?

lessons

~15 min

to learn

🔬 Science

subject

Ages 6–12

level

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What you’ll learn

Forces That TouchUnderstand that contact forces work only when objects touch.A contact force works only when two objects are touching. Pushes, pulls, friction and air resistance are all contact forces. They cannot act unless the objects are in contact.
Forces at a DistanceUnderstand that non-contact forces act at a distance without touching.A non-contact force acts across a gap without the objects touching. Gravity pulls things down, a magnet pulls metal from a distance, and static electricity makes things cling or jump — all without contact.
Sorting ForcesSort everyday forces into contact and non-contact groups.The difference is touching. Contact forces like friction and pushes need the objects to touch. Non-contact forces like gravity, magnetism and static electricity reach across a gap. Asking 'do they touch?' sorts any force.

Questions this course answers

What is a contact force?

A contact force works only when two objects are touching, like friction or a push.

Which of these is a contact force?

Friction is a contact force because the two surfaces must rub together, touching each other.

What is special about a non-contact force?

A non-contact force acts at a distance, without the objects needing to touch.

A magnet pulls paperclips before touching them. This shows magnetism is a...

Because the magnet works across a gap without touching, magnetism is a non-contact force.

Which pair are BOTH non-contact forces?

Gravity and magnetism both act at a distance without touching, so both are non-contact forces.

Rubbing a balloon on your hair makes it stand up without touching. This force is...

Static electricity is a non-contact force that can make hair reach toward the balloon without touching.

Grounded in trusted sources

BBC Bitesize — Contact and non-contact forces
Britannica Kids

Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.

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