11+ Different Types of Forces [With Examples and Pictures]

You already know that… Force is nothing but a push or pull on an object.

A force can change the shape, size, speed and direction of an object. A force can even stop a moving object.

Now, what are the different types of forces?

The list is so BIG. As there are so many forces in nature.

Don’t worry.

Here, I’ll explain the different types of forces in physics with Real Life examples.

Let’s get started. (One by One)

Different Types of Forces

Here’s a complete list of different types of forces in physics:

Contact Forces	Non contact Forces
Muscular force	Magnetic force
Frictional force	Gravitational force
Tension force	Electrostatic force
Applied force
Normal force
Air resistance force
Mechanical force
Spring force

To get a clear idea,

Let’s one by one discuss all these different forces with Real Life examples.

Contact Forces

Here, a boy is collecting some garbage from the floor.

In order to collect garbage, he must have to touch garbage with his hand.

And when he collects garbage, two objects garbage and his hand come in contact with each other.

Which results in a Contact Force between them.

To learn more about contact force, 

Check: Contact Force

Now, let me explain to you all different types of contact forces.

Muscular force

Here, one boy is lifting a heavy courier box.

While lifting a courier box, he is actually applying some force with his hands.

(i.e., He is actually using his muscles to lift a courier box)

This type of force is known as a Muscular Force.

To learn more about muscular force,

Check: Muscular Force

Frictional force

Here, a cement is applied with a trowel.

When applying a cement, cement and trowel slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a trowel.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to apply a cement)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

To learn more about frictional force,

Check: Frictional Force

Tension force

Here, some electric wires are hanging on an electric tower.

While hanging on an electric tower, they get pulled from opposite ends.

So, a tension is generated in these wires.

Due to this tension, a force is transmitted through the wires.

This force is known as a Tension Force.

To learn more about tension force, 

Check: Tension Force

Applied force

Here, a refrigerator door is opened by the hand.

When a refrigerator door is opened, some amount of force is applied on a refrigerator door by the hand.

This force applied on a refrigerator door by the hand is known as Applied Force.

To learn more about applied force, 

Check: Applied Force

Normal force

When a brick is resting on a land, one perpendicular force is acting on a brick.

As this force acts perpendicular to the surface of a brick, it is known as a Normal Force.

To learn more about normal force, 

Check: Normal Force

Air resistance force

Here, one feather is dropped on the ground. 

When a feather falls downwards, one upward force (exerted by air) acts on a feather.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

To learn more about air resistance force, 

Check: Air resistance Force

Mechanical force

Here, a robotic arm is used to perform some task in a factory.

In order to perform a task, a robotic arm generates some amount of force.

This type of force which is generated by a machine is known as a Mechanical Force.

To learn more about mechanical force, 

Check: Mechanical Force

Spring force

When a paper punch is pressed with the hand, some force is generated.

(As the spring inside a paper punch gets compressed)

Due to this force, a hole is made on paper.

As this force is generated by a spring, it is known as a Spring Force.

Non contact Forces

When branches of a tree fall on the ground, is there any contact between branches and ground?

Obviously, NO.

Branches fall on ground automatically (Of course, due to Gravity) but, without any physical contact.

It means that… two objects branches and ground are not physically in contact with each other.

This type of force acting on an object is known as a Non contact Force.

To learn more about non contact force, 

Check: Non contact Force

Now, let’s discuss the different types of non contact forces.

Magnetic force

When magnetic stickers are kept on the refrigerator door, they stick on the refrigerator door.

The reason is simple.

When magnetic stickers are brought near the refrigerator door, they experience an attractive force towards the refrigerator door.

Due to this force, magnetic stickers stick on the refrigerator door.

This attractive force is known as a Magnetic Force.

To learn more about magnetic force, 

Check: Magnetic Force

Gravitational force

What happens when a mobile slips from your hand?

When a mobile slips from your hand, gravity attracts a mobile in the downward direction.

This type of force acting on an object that does not require any physical contact to occur is known as a Gravitational Force.

(Gravitational force always acts in the downward direction)

To learn more about gravitational force, 

Check: Gravitational Force

Electrostatic force

What happens when a plastic wrap is brought near the piece of cloth?

Plastic wrap sticks on the piece of cloth.

This type of force that is generated without any physical contact is known as an Electrostatic Force.

Summary

From the above examples, one thing is understood.

There are so many different types of forces in nature.

Some forces require physical contact to occur.

On the other hand, there are some forces which do not require any physical contact to occur.

Any type of activity that we do in our daily life, results in a force.

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What do you think, is it easy for you to understand this concept of different types of forces?

(Let me know in the comments below)

Related:

• What is Force?

• Pseudo Force

• Balanced Force

• Unbalanced Force

• Difference between Balanced and Unbalanced Force