Question

Which of the following statements are correct about magnetic and electrostatic forces?

• A. They are contact forces.
• B. Like charges/poles repel each other.
• C. Unlike charges/poles attract each other.
• D. They are non-contact forces.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
B

Like charges/poles repel each other.

C

Unlike charges/poles attract each other.

D

They are non-contact forces.

Contact forces are those for which to act, physical contact is necessary. On the other hand, non-contact forces can act at a distance. Magnetic and electrostatic forces can act on an object without actually touching it. So, they are non-contact forces. For example, tiny paper pieces can be picked up using a charged comb, iron nails can be attracted to a magnet from a distance. It’s a property of these forces that like charges/poles repel each other while unlike charges/poles attract.