Question

The force exerted by a magnet on a piece of iron is a _______ force.
A. Contact
B. Non-contact
C. Friction
D. Muscular

Answer 1

To answer this question first we need to understand all the forces which are given in the option. A non-contact force is one that acts on an object without physically touching it. The most well-known non-contact force is gravity, which produces weight. A contact force, on the other hand, works on an object that comes into direct contact with it.

Complete step by step solution:
Before declaring the correct option, we will first discuss all of the types of force that have been provided, and then we will determine the proper response.
Contact forces: Contact forces are created when two or more things come into contact.
Non-contact: Non-contact forces are those that occur when two or more objects are not in contact.
Frictional Force: It is a force exerted on moving objects by the surface with which they come into contact. A ball rolling on the ground, for example, experiences friction from the ground surface and comes to a standstill. When the boat's rowing comes to a halt, the boat comes to a halt due to the frictional force of water on it. The frictional force always acts in the opposite direction of the applied force.
Muscular force: It is a sort of force in which we employ our physical strength to alter an object's state of motion.
Without coming into touch with iron, a magnet can exert a pull on it. As a result, a magnet's force is an example of a non-contact force.
Therefore, from the above gathered information we can conclude that the force exerted by a magnet on a piece of iron is a non-contact force.
So, the correct option is B.

Note:
Gravitation is an attractive force that occurs between all mass-bearing bodies. The sun's gravitational force keeps the Earth, as well as all the other planets in the solar system, in a constant orbit. To exert its downward force, the gravitational force does not require touch. So, it is also a non-contact force.