Types of Force: Non-Contact Force

The image shows different situations where forces act without physical contact between objects. These forces are known as non-contact forces, and they include magnetic force, gravitational force, and electrostatic force.

Some events,

• Iron nails get attracted to the pole of a magnet due to magnetic force.
• A coconut is falling from the coconut tree. Objects are attracted to the earth due to the force of gravity.
• When a comb gets rubbed against hair, small pieces of paper kept on a table get attracted to the comb. The comb has an electrostatic charge, and there is an induced opposite charge on the pieces of paper, causing the pieces to stick to the comb.

1. Magnetic Force: The force exerted by magnets, which can attract or repel certain metals like iron.
2. Gravitational Force: The force that pulls objects towards each other, such as the Earth pulling objects downward.
3. Electrostatic Force: The force between electrically charged objects, which can cause attraction or repulsion.

1. Aim: To demonstrate how magnetic force acts as a non-contact force between two magnets.

2. Requirements: A large plastic tray filled with water, two plastic bottles, and two bar magnets.

3. Procedure

• Fill a plastic tray with water and let two bottles float on the surface.
• Place a magnet on top of each bottle, marking the north and south poles.
• Bring one bottle close to the other. If opposite poles (north and south) face each other, the bottles will move closer.
• Turn one bottle so that like poles (north-north or south-south) face each other, and watch as the bottles move away from each other.

Non-contact force

4. Conclusion: This experiment shows that magnetic force can act over a distance without physical contact. Unlike poles attract each other, causing the bottles to move closer, while like poles repel, making them move apart. This confirms the presence of a non-contact force between the magnets.