✦ Lesson 6
What are contact forces?
A force is anything that changes how an object moves. Forces can move objects, stop them and change their shape. There are two main types: contact and non-contactforces. Contact forces act when we touch an object.
✋ Push and pull
They move objects in a direction: a push moves it away from you, a pull moves it towards you. You push a door and pull a drawer.
🛑 Friction
A force that slows down or stops moving things. It is why a ball rolling on grass stops, and why your shoes don't slip.
🖐️ Changing shape
If you squeeze clay, it keeps the new shape. If you stretch an elastic band, it goes back to its original shape when you let go.
📝 Your turn
Make a list of things you push and pull every day: a door, a shopping trolley, your schoolbag zip, a swing… Which ones are pushes and which are pulls?
✋ push · pull · friction🤝 contact = touching