FORCE

A force is a physical cause (a push or a pull) which when applied on a body can produce different effects. Some of the effects produced by force are:

-        It can produce motion in a stationary body;

-        It can bring a moving body to a halt;

-        It can change the dimensions of a body;

-        It can change the direction of a moving body;

-        It can produce acceleration in a moving body;

-        It can cause retardation to a moving body

Formula to calculate force

The formula to calculate force is:  F = m x a

Where, m = mass and a = acceleration

This formula or equation is derived from the Newton’s Laws of motion.


Units of force

In SI system, the unit of force is newton (N).

In CGS system, the unit of force is dyne.

 

Types of Forces

For reasons of simplicity, all the forces are placed under two categories, i.e.

1. Contact force

2. Non-contact force (or force at a distance)

Contact forces are the forces which are applied on an object either directly or through a medium. Some of the examples of contact forces are: frictional forces, muscular forces, tension forces, air resistance force, spring force etc.

Non-contact forces are the forces which act through the space without any physical contact. Some examples of non-contact forces are: gravitational force, electrostatic force, magnetic force etc.