Two groups of forces(Summary)

Contact and non-contact forces

The main types of forces that you will meet can be divided into contact and non-contact forces.

Contact forces — the environment can provide support:

• Compression force (a warp force).
• Tension force (a warp force).
• Buoyancy.

Contact forces — reduce, or prevent motion through an environment:

• Grip.
• Slip.
• Drag.

Non-contact forces — allow remote parts of the environment to affect an object:

• Gravity force.
• Magnetic force.
• Electric force.

The space throughout which non-contact forces act is referred to as a field. The field specifies the strength and direction of the non-contact force acting.