Types of forces

Type of force
Frictional force Gravitational force
Electrostatic force Magnetic force

Brief explanation
Produced when 2 surfaces come in contact with each other.

The force of attraction that pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth.
Produced when 2 objects with different charges are brought near each other.

The attractive or / and repulsive forces exerted by magnets on other magnets or / and other magnetic materials.

Examples of frictional force

- walking: if there is no friction between your shoes/feet and the floor, you would be slippering in one place forever.
- when cold, you rub your hands together to warm your hands. the heat comes from friction.

A boy walking

Rubbing hands together

Examples of gravitational force

- Standing on the ground.

- A dropped object is attracted towards the Earths surface due to gravity.

A person standing on the ground

A person throwing things on the ground

Examples of magnetic force - Unlike poles of magnets attract

- Like poles of magnets repel

Like poles of magnets repel while unlike poles attract.

Examples of electrostatic force - Lightning is a form of electrostatic force - Another widely used architecture for electrostatic actuation is a lateral translation of the mobile parts. This is mostly achieved with comb-drive actuators

Lightning is a dangerous form of electrostatic force

This actuation is a lateral translation of the mobile parts