Contact & Non-Contact Forces
Notice that some forces need contact between two objects (contact forces) while magnetic forces can act at a distance (non-contact forces)
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Can your child explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?
Notice that some forces need contact between two objects (contact forces) while magnetic forces can act at a distance (non-contact forces)
Learning resources
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This concept
Check understanding
- Define contact forces as those needing objects to touch (e.g. push, pull, friction)
- Define non-contact forces as those acting at a distance (e.g. magnetism)
- Sort examples of forces into contact and non-contact categories
“Can your child explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Forces & Motion
- Age range
- Ages 7–8
Standards