Science·Forces & Motion·conceptual
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)
Suggested ages 7–8
Learning journey
Your child is exploring forces around them — discovering how magnets work, understanding that some forces need contact while others work at a distance, and investigating how different surfaces affect how things move.
Evidence of 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
Assessment prompt
Can Contact & Non-Contact Forces explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?
Standards alignment
Y3.Sci.FM.2GB · uk-nc-2013
Contact and non-contact forces
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2