Types of Forces

Types of Forces

Many different criteria are used to classify forces into various types. These types are briefly discussed below.

1) Surface forces: 

These forces require physical contact of one body exerting force on another. For example, an object kept on the surface of another object.

2) Body forces: 

Forces exerted by one body on another without physical contact are known as body forces. For example, gravitational pull exerted by earth on a body (i.e. its weight).

3) External forces (or loads): 

These are externally applied on a body.

4) Internal forces: 

These forces are developed inside the body and try to prevent deformation.

5) Gravitational force: 

It is the force of attraction between any two objects in the universe.

6) Electrostatic force: 

It is the force between electric charges.

7) Electromagnetic force: 

This force is caused by moving charges.

8) Nuclear force: 

It is the force between protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

9) Weak interaction force: 

It is a force that exists between small nuclear particles like antineutrino and matter.

10) Point force: 

It is a force acting over a very small area compared to dimensions of the object.

11) Distributed forces: 

Action of these forces are distributed over a significantly large area of the object.

12) Friction: 

It is the force which opposes relative motion between two objects in contact acting tangential to the surfaces in contact.

13) Support reactions: 

These forces are developed when motion of one body is opposed by either a support or another body.

14) Cohesive and adhesive forces: 

Cohesive forces are forces of attraction between molecules of the same substance e.g., between two molecules of water.

Adhesive forces are forces of attraction between molecules of two different substances. e.g. between molecules of water and glass.

15) Wind force: 

It is the force exerted by wind.

16) Buoyant force: 

It is the upward force on an object in a fluid.