Non-Contact Force - GCSE Physics Definition

A non-contact force is a type of force that acts on an object without physically touching it. Unlike contact forces, like pushing a door or pulling a rope, non-contact forces operate over a distance. A good example of this is gravity, which pulls objects towards the Earth without the Earth needing to touch them. Other examples include magnetic forces, which can attract or repel magnets even when they are apart, and electric forces, which can cause objects to move towards or away from each other due to their electric charges. These forces are essential in explaining how objects interact in the world around us, even when they are not in direct contact.