Question

1. identify each of the following as either a contact force, field force, or not a force:

a mass b. inertia c. the push of a hand d. friction e. air resistance f. spring force g. gravity h. acceleration

Explanation:

• Mass (a): It is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, not a force.
• Inertia (b): It is the property of an object to resist changes in its state of motion, not a force.
• Acceleration (h): It is the rate of change of velocity, not a force.

• Contact forces:
• The push of a hand (c): It is a contact force as it requires physical contact between the hand and the object.
• Friction (d): It is a contact force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact.
• Air resistance (e): It is a contact force as air molecules interact with the object.
• Spring force (f): It is a contact force as the spring is in contact with the object it is exerting force on.

• Field forces:
• Gravity (g): It is a field force as it acts at a distance without physical contact (e.g., the gravitational pull of the Earth on an object).

Answer:

• Not a force: a. mass, b. inertia, h. acceleration
• Contact force: c. the push of a hand, d. friction, e. air resistance, f. spring force
• Field force: g. gravity