Force is the action of one body on another. A force is either a push or a pull. A force tends to move a body in the direction of its action. The action of a force is characterized by its magnitude, by the direction of its action, and by its point of application. Thus force is a vector quantity, because its effect depends on the direction as well as on the magnitude of the action.
Forces are classified as either contact or body forces. A contact force is produced by direct physical contact; an example is the force exerted on a body by a supporting surface. A body force is generated by virtue of the position of a body within a force field such as a gravitational, electric, or magnetic field. An example of a body force is the weight of a body in the Earth's gravitation pull
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Famous quotes containing the word force:
“There is ... but one response possible from us: Force, Force to the uttermost, Force without stint or limit, the righteous and triumphant Force which shall make Right the law of the world and cast every selfish dominion down in the dust.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“Freedom is a man’s natural power of doing what he pleases, so far as he is not prevented by force or law.”
—Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.)
“Mediocrity would always win by force of numbers, but it would win only more mediocrity.”
—Ellen Glasgow (1873–1945)