Forces

Forces are influences that cause objects to change their motion or shape. They can push or pull, and are measured in units called newtons. For example, gravity pulls objects toward the ground, while a person pushing a door applies a force to open it. Forces can be contact-based, like friction or tension, or act from a distance, like magnetic or gravitational forces. They are fundamental to understanding how and why objects move or stay still, and are described by Newton’s laws of motion. Essentially, forces are the cause behind most physical interactions and movements in our universe.