A non-contact force is a push or pull between two or more interacting objects that are not in physical contact with each other.

Examples of non-contact forces include gravity, magnetic forces and electrical forces.

Gravity is what holds us to the earth. The force of gravity is a force exerted by a gravitational field of a massive object on any body within the vicinity of that object.

When we jump up in the air the gravity pulls us back to the earth.

Electric force is what holds atoms together. Recall that atoms contain particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and electrons, despite their small physical separation from each other, exert a pull on each other. In the same way, magnets exert a pull on each other and other objects even if they are not touching. We’ll be learning more about these types of forces later.

Now look around you and think about the forces that exist. Can you see that they are everywhere? There are probably far more forces going on all around you than you ever realized.