Understanding Contact and Non-Contact Forces and Gravity

The video tutorial explains the differences between contact and non-contact forces, focusing on gravity as a non-contact force. Contact forces require physical contact between objects, such as friction, air resistance, tension, and normal reaction. Non-contact forces, like gravitational, electrostatic, and magnetic forces, act even when objects are not touching. The gravitational force is a non-contact force of attraction between masses, and the weight of an object is a specific case of gravitational force between the object and Earth. The video also demonstrates how to calculate weight using the formula w = mg, with examples involving a ball and a feather.

What are the two main types of forces discussed in the text?

Explain how contact forces differ from non-contact forces.

What is the role of gravity as a non-contact force?

How is weight calculated according to the text?

Describe the relationship between mass and gravitational force.