Question

Attraction and repulsion between charged particles are examples of ___ forces.
A) non- contact
B) contact
C) either contact or non-contact
D) neither both forces

Answer 1

Hint: The force of attraction and repulsion between charged particles or objects is because of electrostatic force between them. We know, electrostatic force acts only between charged but not on uncharged particles. Check out if the electrostatic force is contact or non-contact force, we will know about the attraction and repulsion.

Complete answer:
Attraction is the force that attracts two bodies to move towards each other. It doesn’t require any contact between the bodies and can be experienced at a distance too. Attraction occurs between bodies with opposite charges. Repulsion is the force that keeps the particles away from each other. Particles with the same charge on them experience repulsion between them. Like attraction, repulsion can also be experienced at a finite distance. Both attraction and repulsion occur because of electrostatic force. As electrostatic force is a non-contact force, attraction and repulsion are also non-contact forces.

Therefore, the correct option is option a.

Additional information:
Electrostatic force is also called coulomb force or interaction. It is the attractive or repulsive force between two electrically charged particles. Like charges usually repel each other and unlike charges attract each other. Best example to describe electrostatic force is when we run a piece of paper with oil in our head using a comb, electrostatic force is produced between the comb and the paper. Lightning is also an example of electrostatic force.

Note:
Electrostatic forces are non-contact forces. They push or pull objects without any physical interaction. Rubbing two materials together will generate some charge which will move from one surface to another. Charged objects push or pull on uncharged objects but uncharged objects can’t produce any change in uncharged objects.