AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers forces as pushes or pulls, contact forces like friction and tension, non-contact forces like gravity, and interaction pairs.
4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces
This AQA GCSE Physics section defines a force as a push or pull that acts on an object due to its interaction with another object. You need to classify forces as contact or non-contact and recognise that forces come from interactions between pairs of objects. It is examined on Paper 2 and leads into gravity, resultant forces and Newton's third law. Examiners test classification, labelling forces on diagrams, and naming the force that acts in a given situation.
What you need to know
- What a force is A force is a push or pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object. Force is a vector quantity measured in newtons (N).
- Contact forces Contact forces act when objects are physically touching. Examples: friction, air resistance, tension and normal contact force.
- Non-contact forces Non-contact forces act when objects are physically separated. Examples: gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
- Interaction pairs All forces between objects arise from an interaction, and each force is part of an interaction pair. These forces are represented as vectors.
- Drawing forces Use arrows starting from the object, pointing in the direction of the force, with length showing size. Label them with the name of the force, such as weight or normal contact force.
Common mistakes in 4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces
- Calling gravity a contact force. Weight is a non-contact force due to the gravitational field.
- Calling air resistance non-contact. It is a contact force because air particles collide with the object.
- Saying 'reaction force' without specifying it. Use the term normal contact force.
- Forgetting that forces always come from an interaction between two objects.
Try three 4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces exam-style questions
1. Name two contact forces and two non-contact forces. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Contact: any two from friction, air resistance, tension, normal contact force; non-contact: any two from gravitational, electrostatic, magnetic.
2. A book rests on a table. Name the two forces acting on the book and state whether each is a contact or non-contact force. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Weight (gravitational force), non-contact; normal contact force from the table, contact.
3. Explain what is meant by a force. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A push or pull on an object; due to its interaction with another object.
4.5.1.2 Contact and Non-Contact Forces FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.1.2 Contact and non-contact forces cover?
It covers the definition of a force, contact forces like friction and tension, non-contact forces like gravity and magnetism, and interaction pairs.
How is this linked to Newton's third law?
The idea that every force is part of an interaction pair here is developed in Newton's third law (4.5.6.2.3).
How do I revise force types?
Sort a list of everyday forces into contact and non-contact, then practise drawing labelled force arrows on simple objects such as a book, a skydiver and a car.
