Contact & Non-Contact Forces
Notice that some forces need contact between two objects (contact forces) while magnetic forces can act at a distance (non-contact forces)
Entire curriculum
1858 concepts · 9 subjects
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
2 approaches
Contact & Non-Contact Forces means sorting forces into contact forces and non-contact forces. We will practise once together, then check a fresh example.
Spend about 12 minutes on Contact & Non-Contact Forces, then checking one fresh example.
Sort forces by whether the interacting objects need to touch.
Sort forces by whether the interacting objects need to touch.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceContact & Non-Contact Forces practice
Sort contact and non-contact forces.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Forces and Motion: Basics
Before you open · source notes
Forces and Motion: Basics supports hands-on exploration for Contact & Non-Contact Forces. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Forces and Motion: Basics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Define contact forces as those needing objects to touch (e.g. push, pull, friction)
- Define non-contact forces as those acting at a distance (e.g. magnetism)
- Sort examples of forces into contact and non-contact categories
“Can your child explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Forces & Motion
- Age range
- Ages 7–11
Standards