Subject: Types of Forces

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Force
A force is a push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction
with another object. Whenever there is an interaction between two objects, there
is a force upon each of the objects. When the interaction ceases, the two objects
no longer experience the force. Forces only exist as a result of an interaction.

Types of Forces
Forces can be divided into primarily into two types of forces:
1. Contact Forces
2. Non-contact Forces

Contact Forces
Any types of forces that require being in contact with another object come
under ‘Contact Force’. All mechanical forces are contact forces. Contact forces
further divide into following types of forces:

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A. Frictional Forces

When an object changes its state motion, ‘frictional force’ acts upon. It can be
defined as the resisting force that exists when an object is moved or tries to
move a surface. The frictional force acts as a point of contact between two
surfaces that is it arises due to contact between two surfaces. Examples lighting
a matchstick or stopping a moving ball come under frictional force.

A few factors affecting the frictional force:

1.These forces are mainly affected by the surface texture and amount of force
impelling them together.

2. The angle and position of the object affect the amount of frictional force.

3. If an object is placed flat against an object, then the frictional force will be
equal to the weight of the object.

4. If an object is pushed against the surface, then the frictional force will be
increased and becomes more than the weight of the object.

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Friction Formula

Friction = (coefficient of friction) (normal force)

B. Normal Force
When a book is lying on the table, even though it seems that it’s stationary, it’s
not. An opposing force is still acting on the book wherein the force from gravity
is pulling is towards the earth. This force is the ‘normal force’.

Normal Force Formula

An object during rest on the flat surface the normal force FN is

FN = mg

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A force acting on a falling object it drops at an angle of θ, then the FN is greater
than the formulated weight,

FN = mg + F sin θ

A force tugs the object towards upward, then FN is less than its weight

FN = mg – F sin θ

C. Tension Force

Tension is the force applied by a fully stretched cable or wire

anchored on to an object. This causes a ‘tension force’ that pulls
equally in both directions and exerts equal pressure.

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D. Spring Force
An object is in the periodic motion when its motion repeats with a defined cycle.
This type of motion is also oscillation. Simple examples are the movement of
springs and pendulums, but there are many other situations in which oscillations
occur. An important feature of periodic motion is that the object has a stable
equilibrium position. Also, a restoring force which is directed toward that position.
Spring has the application of force.

The Formula for Spring Force:

Simple Harmonic Motion comes under periodic motion. In SHM, the restoring
force Fx is directly proportional to the displacement x. This restoring force and the
displacement always have opposite signs. A constant of proportionality k makes it
possible to form the equation for the force,
i.e. Fx = – k x

For springs, this relationship is Hooke’s Law, where k will be the spring constant.
The SI unit of k is Newton per meter,

In another form, F=k(x–x0)

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E. Air Resisting Force
Air resisting forces are types of forces wherein objects experience a
frictional force when moving through the air. These forces are
resistive in nature.

F. Applied Force

Usually, when you think of a force, you are considering an applied force, which
is an interaction of one object on another that causes the second object to
accelerate, change velocity, or change direction. The force can be a push, pull,
or drag. The resulting direction of an object depends on the relative direction of
the force on the object. A force equation shows the relationship between force,
mass, and acceleration. The object will accelerate as long as the force is being
applied.

2. Non-contact Forces
The types of forces that can be exerted without requiring any contact with any
object are ‘non-contact forces. They further divide into following types of
forces:

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A. Gravitation Force

The force of gravity is the force with which the earth, moon, or other massively
large object attracts another object towards itself. By definition, this is the
weight of the object. All objects upon earth experience a force of gravity that is
directed "downward" towards the center of the earth. The force of gravity on
earth is always equal to the weight of the object as found by the equation:

Fgrav = m * g

Example: water droplets falling down:

B. Magnetic Force
The types of forces exerted by a magnet on magnetic objects are ‘magnetic
forces. They exist without any contact between two objects.

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C. Electrostatic Force

The electrostatic force, also known as the Columb Force is an attractive and
repulsive force between particles are caused due to their electric charges. This
Columb Interaction is named after the French physicist Charles-Augustin de
Coulomb. Electrostatic Force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature.
We make use of the Coulomb’s Law to solve the forces created by
configurations of charge.

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Reference

Types of Forces: Concepts, Sub-types, Videos with Examples. (2020, July 07). Retrieved
July 18, 2020, from https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics/force-and-pressure/types-of-
forces/

Admin. (2020, July 14). What is Frictional Force? - Definition, Formula, Examples,
Equations. Retrieved July 18, 2020, from https://byjus.com/physics/frictional-force/

Friction Formula - Definition, Friction Equation, Examples. (2019, November 12). Retrieved
July 18, 2020, from https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics-formula/friction-formula/

Admin. (2020, April 09). Normal Force Formula: Definition and Example. Retrieved July 18,
2020, from https://byjus.com/normal-force-formula/

Spring Force Formula: Definition, Concepts and Examples. (2020, April 20). Retrieved July
18, 2020, from https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics-formulas/spring-force-formula/