Force Class 6 ICSE Questions and Answers

💪 Force Class 6 ICSE Questions and Answers

ICSE Physics Chapter 3 with Detailed Solutions

Master Force for Class 6 ICSE with comprehensive questions and answers covering the meaning of force, types of force, contact and non-contact forces, effects of force, friction, and examples from daily life. Each answer is explained in simple, student-friendly language for ICSE exams.

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Force — Questions & Answers

ICSE Class 6 Physics Chapter 3

📘 Quick Reference: Force

Force: A push or pull applied on an object that can change its state of rest, motion, shape, or size.
Examples of Force: Kicking a football, lifting a bucket, opening a door, squeezing a sponge.
Effects of Force:
- Force can move a stationary object.
- Force can stop a moving object.
- Force can change the speed of an object.
- Force can change the direction of a moving object.
- Force can change the shape or size of an object.
Types of Force:
- Contact Force: Acts only when objects are in direct contact.
- Non-Contact Force: Acts even when objects are not in direct contact.
Contact Forces:
- Muscular Force: Force applied by our muscles. Example: Lifting a box.
- Frictional Force: Force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. Example: Sliding on the floor.
- Normal Force: Force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object. Example: A book resting on a table.
- Tension Force: Force in a rope or string when pulled. Example: Tug of war.
Non-Contact Forces:
- Magnetic Force: Force exerted by magnets. Example: Magnet attracting iron nails.
- Electrostatic Force: Force between charged objects. Example: Balloon attracting hair after rubbing.
- Gravitational Force: Force that pulls objects towards the Earth. Example: Apple falling from a tree.
Friction: A force that opposes the motion of an object when it moves over another surface.
Types of Friction:
- Static Friction: Acts when an object is at rest.
- Sliding Friction: Acts when an object slides over a surface.
- Rolling Friction: Acts when an object rolls over a surface.

Key Points Summary Table:

Concept	Key Point
Force	Push or pull
Contact Force	Requires direct contact
Non-Contact Force	No direct contact needed
Muscular Force	Applied by muscles
Friction	Opposes motion
Gravity	Pulls objects towards Earth

💡 Study Tip

Force is all around you! When you push a door, kick a ball, or lift your school bag, you are applying force. Try these simple activities to understand force better: push a toy car and see it move, then stop it with your hand. Rub your hands together to feel friction (heat). Drop a pencil and watch it fall due to gravity. Rub a balloon on your hair and see it attract small paper pieces (electrostatic force). These everyday examples will help you understand the different types of forces easily.

Question 1

What is force?

✅ Answer:

Force is a push or pull applied on an object.

Question 2

Give two examples of force.

✅ Answer:

Kicking a football and lifting a bucket are examples of force.

Question 3

What are the two main types of force?

✅ Answer:

The two main types of force are contact force and non-contact force.

Question 4

What is contact force?

✅ Answer:

Contact force is a force that acts only when objects are in direct contact with each other.

Question 5

What is non-contact force?

✅ Answer:

Non-contact force is a force that acts even when objects are not in direct contact.

Question 6

Give one example of muscular force.

✅ Answer:

Lifting a box is an example of muscular force.

Question 7

Give one example of gravitational force.

✅ Answer:

An apple falling from a tree is an example of gravitational force.

Question 8

Give one example of magnetic force.

✅ Answer:

A magnet attracting iron nails is an example of magnetic force.

Question 9

Give one example of electrostatic force.

✅ Answer:

A balloon attracting hair after rubbing is an example of electrostatic force.

Question 10

What is friction?

✅ Answer:

Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object when it moves over another surface.

Question 11

Name one effect of force.

✅ Answer:

Force can move a stationary object.

Question 12

Can force change the shape of an object?

✅ Answer:

Yes, force can change the shape or size of an object (e.g., squeezing a sponge).

Question 13

What is muscular force?

✅ Answer:

Muscular force is the force applied by our muscles.

Question 14

What is the direction of gravitational force?

✅ Answer:

Gravitational force acts downwards towards the centre of the Earth.

Question 15

Why do we slip on a wet floor?

✅ Answer:

We slip on a wet floor because friction is reduced between our feet and the floor.

Question 16

Name the force that helps us walk on the ground.

✅ Answer:

Friction helps us walk on the ground.

Question 17

What is static friction?

✅ Answer:

Static friction is the friction that acts when an object is at rest.

Question 18

What is sliding friction?

✅ Answer:

Sliding friction is the friction that acts when an object slides over a surface.

Question 19

What is rolling friction?

✅ Answer:

Rolling friction is the friction that acts when an object rolls over a surface.

Question 20

Which type of friction is the smallest?

✅ Answer:

Rolling friction is the smallest type of friction.

Question 21

Why do we use ball bearings in machines?

✅ Answer:

Ball bearings are used to reduce friction by converting sliding friction into rolling friction.

Question 22

What is normal force?

✅ Answer:

Normal force is the force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it.

Question 23

What is tension force?

✅ Answer:

Tension force is the force present in a rope or string when it is pulled.

Question 24

Give one example of tension force.

✅ Answer:

Tug of war is an example of tension force.

Question 25

What happens when you apply force on a moving object in the opposite direction?

✅ Answer:

The object slows down or stops.

Question 26

Can force change the direction of a moving object?

✅ Answer:

Yes, force can change the direction of a moving object.

Question 27

What is the SI unit of force?

✅ Answer:

The SI unit of force is the newton (N).

Question 28

Why is it difficult to walk on ice?

✅ Answer:

It is difficult to walk on ice because friction is very low, so our feet slip.

Question 29

Name the force that acts on a falling object.

✅ Answer:

Gravitational force acts on a falling object.

Question 30

What is the main cause of friction?

✅ Answer:

The main cause of friction is the irregularities (roughness) on the surfaces in contact.

Question 1

What is force? Give three examples.

✅ Answer:

Force is a push or pull applied on an object that can change its state of rest, motion, shape, or size.

Examples:

Kicking a football
Lifting a bucket
Opening a door

Question 2

What are the effects of force? Explain any three.

✅ Answer:

Effects of force:

Force can move a stationary object: Kicking a ball makes it move.
Force can stop a moving object: Catching a ball stops it.
Force can change the speed of an object: Pushing a moving swing faster.
Force can change the direction of a moving object: Hitting a ball changes its direction.
Force can change the shape or size of an object: Squeezing a sponge.

Question 3

Differentiate between contact force and non-contact force with examples.

✅ Answer:

Contact Force: Acts only when objects are in direct contact.
Examples: Muscular force, friction, tension.

Non-Contact Force: Acts even when objects are not in direct contact.
Examples: Gravitational force, magnetic force, electrostatic force.

Question 4

What is friction? Why is it important?

✅ Answer:

Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object when it moves over another surface.

It is important because:

It helps us walk without slipping.
It helps us write with a pen or pencil.
It helps vehicles stop using brakes.
It helps us hold objects firmly.

Question 5

What are the three types of friction?

✅ Answer:

Static Friction: Acts when an object is at rest.
Sliding Friction: Acts when an object slides over a surface.
Rolling Friction: Acts when an object rolls over a surface.

Question 6

Why is rolling friction less than sliding friction?

✅ Answer:

Rolling friction is less than sliding friction because in rolling, the area of contact is smaller and the surface is not dragged. This is why wheels are used in vehicles to reduce friction.

Question 7

What is gravitational force? Give an example.

✅ Answer:

Gravitational force is the force that pulls objects towards the Earth.

Example: An apple falling from a tree, or water flowing downwards.

Question 8

What is magnetic force? Give an example.

✅ Answer:

Magnetic force is the force exerted by magnets on magnetic materials.

Example: A magnet attracting iron nails or pins.

Question 9

What is electrostatic force? Give an example.

✅ Answer:

Electrostatic force is the force between charged objects.

Example: A balloon rubbed on hair attracts small pieces of paper.

Question 10

What is muscular force? Give two examples.

✅ Answer:

Muscular force is the force applied by our muscles.

Examples:

Lifting a box
Pushing a cart

Question 11

How does friction help us in daily life?

✅ Answer:

Friction helps us in daily life by:

Helping us walk without slipping.
Helping us write on paper.
Helping vehicles stop when brakes are applied.
Helping us light a matchstick.

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of friction?

✅ Answer:

Disadvantages of friction:

It causes wear and tear of machine parts.
It produces heat, wasting energy.
It reduces efficiency of machines.
It makes it difficult to move heavy objects.

Question 13

How can we reduce friction?

✅ Answer:

We can reduce friction by:

Polishing surfaces to make them smooth.
Using lubricants like oil and grease.
Using ball bearings in machines.
Using wheels for transportation.

Question 14

What is normal force? Give an example.

✅ Answer:

Normal force is the force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it.

Example: A book resting on a table experiences normal force from the table.

Question 15

What is tension force? Give an example.

✅ Answer:

Tension force is the force present in a rope or string when it is pulled.

Example: A tug of war, or a crane lifting a load with a rope.

Question 16

Why do we slip on a wet floor?

✅ Answer:

We slip on a wet floor because water acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between our feet and the floor. With less friction, our feet cannot grip the floor properly.

Question 17

What is the SI unit of force?

✅ Answer:

The SI unit of force is the newton (N). It is named after Sir Isaac Newton.

Question 18

What happens when two forces act on an object in the same direction?

✅ Answer:

When two forces act on an object in the same direction, the forces add up and the object moves in that direction with greater force.

Question 19

What happens when two equal forces act on an object in opposite directions?

✅ Answer:

When two equal forces act in opposite directions, they cancel each other out, and the object remains at rest or continues moving at the same speed.

Question 20

Why do we use lubricants in machines?

✅ Answer:

Lubricants like oil and grease are used in machines to reduce friction between moving parts. This prevents wear and tear, reduces heat, and increases the efficiency of the machine.

Question 1

What is force? Explain the various effects of force with examples.

✅ Answer:

Force:
Force is a push or pull applied on an object that can change its state of rest, motion, shape, or size.

Effects of Force:

1. Force can move a stationary object:

A stationary ball starts moving when kicked.
A door opens when pushed.

2. Force can stop a moving object:

A moving ball stops when caught.
A bicycle stops when brakes are applied.

3. Force can change the speed of an object:

A moving swing goes faster when pushed.
A rolling ball slows down due to friction.

4. Force can change the direction of a moving object:

A batsman hits a ball and changes its direction.
A car turns when the steering wheel is rotated.

5. Force can change the shape or size of an object:

Squeezing a sponge changes its shape.
Stretching a rubber band changes its size.

Conclusion:
Force is an essential part of our daily life. It affects objects in many ways and helps us perform various tasks.

Question 2

Explain the different types of forces with examples.

✅ Answer:

Types of Forces:

Forces are broadly classified into two types:

A. Contact Forces:
These forces act only when objects are in direct contact.

1. Muscular Force:

Force applied by our muscles.
Examples: Lifting a box, pushing a cart.

2. Frictional Force:

Force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.
Examples: Sliding on the floor, walking.

3. Normal Force:

Force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object.
Example: A book resting on a table.

4. Tension Force:

Force in a rope or string when pulled.
Example: Tug of war.

B. Non-Contact Forces:
These forces act even when objects are not in direct contact.

1. Magnetic Force:

Force exerted by magnets.
Example: Magnet attracting iron nails.

2. Electrostatic Force:

Force between charged objects.
Example: Balloon attracting hair after rubbing.

3. Gravitational Force:

Force that pulls objects towards the Earth.
Example: Apple falling from a tree.

Conclusion:
Different types of forces act on objects in different situations. Understanding these forces helps us explain many natural phenomena.

Question 3

What is friction? Explain the types of friction with examples.

✅ Answer:

Friction:
Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object when it moves over another surface. It acts in the direction opposite to the motion.

Types of Friction:

1. Static Friction:

Acts when an object is at rest.
It prevents an object from starting to move.
Example: A heavy box does not move until we push it hard enough.

2. Sliding Friction:

Acts when an object slides over a surface.
It is less than static friction.
Example: Sliding a book on a table.

3. Rolling Friction:

Acts when an object rolls over a surface.
It is the smallest type of friction.
Example: A ball rolling on the ground, wheels of a bicycle.

Causes of Friction:

Irregularities on the surfaces in contact.
Interlocking of the rough edges of the surfaces.
Attractive forces between the particles of the surfaces.

Conclusion:
Friction is both useful and harmful. We need it for walking and writing, but it also causes wear and tear. We can reduce friction by using lubricants and ball bearings.

Question 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of friction?

✅ Answer:

Advantages of Friction:

Walking: Friction between our feet and the ground helps us walk without slipping.
Writing: Friction between the pen and paper helps us write.
Braking: Friction between brake pads and wheels helps vehicles stop.
Lighting a match: Friction between the matchstick and the matchbox produces heat and fire.
Holding objects: Friction helps us grip objects firmly.
Building: Friction between bricks and mortar holds them together.

Disadvantages of Friction:

Wear and tear: Friction causes machine parts to wear out over time.
Heat production: Friction produces heat, which wastes energy.
Reduced efficiency: Friction reduces the efficiency of machines.
Difficulty in moving heavy objects: Friction makes it hard to move heavy objects.
Damage to shoes and tires: Friction causes shoes and tires to wear out.

How to Reduce Friction:

Use lubricants (oil, grease).
Use ball bearings in machines.
Polish surfaces to make them smooth.
Use wheels for transportation.

Conclusion:
Friction is both a friend and a foe. We need it for many daily activities, but we also need to reduce it in machines to improve efficiency.

Question 5

Explain contact and non-contact forces with examples. How are they different?

✅ Answer:

Contact Forces:
Contact forces act only when objects are in direct physical contact with each other.

Examples:

Muscular Force: Lifting a box, pushing a cart.
Frictional Force: Sliding on the floor, walking.
Normal Force: A book resting on a table.
Tension Force: Tug of war.

Non-Contact Forces:
Non-contact forces act even when objects are not in direct contact. They act from a distance.

Examples:

Magnetic Force: Magnet attracting iron nails.
Electrostatic Force: Balloon attracting hair after rubbing.
Gravitational Force: Apple falling from a tree.

Differences:

Contact Force	Non-Contact Force
Requires direct contact	Does not require direct contact
Acts only when objects touch	Acts from a distance
Examples: Friction, muscular force	Examples: Gravity, magnetic force

Question 6

Describe an activity to show that force can change the shape of an object.

✅ Answer:

Activity: Force Can Change the Shape of an Object

Materials needed:

A sponge
A rubber band
A piece of clay or dough

Procedure:

Take the sponge and squeeze it with your hand.
Observe what happens to the shape of the sponge.
Now stretch the rubber band with your hands.
Observe what happens to the shape of the rubber band.
Roll the clay into a ball, then press it flat.

Observation:

The sponge gets compressed when squeezed.
The rubber band stretches and becomes longer.
The clay changes from a ball to a flat shape.

Conclusion:
The activity shows that applying force can change the shape or size of an object.

Question 7

Explain the different types of non-contact forces with examples.

✅ Answer:

Non-Contact Forces:
Non-contact forces act even when objects are not in direct contact. They act from a distance.

1. Gravitational Force:

The force that pulls objects towards the Earth.
It acts on all objects, whether they are in contact or not.
Examples: Apple falling from a tree, water flowing downwards, planets revolving around the sun.

2. Magnetic Force:

The force exerted by magnets on magnetic materials.
It can attract or repel objects.
Examples: Magnet attracting iron nails, compass needle pointing north-south.

3. Electrostatic Force:

The force between charged objects.
It can attract or repel objects.
Examples: Balloon attracting hair after rubbing, clothes sticking to the body after drying.

Conclusion:
Non-contact forces are important in nature. Gravity keeps us on the ground, magnets help in navigation, and electrostatic forces are used in printers and photocopiers.

Question 8

What are the causes of friction? How can friction be reduced?

✅ Answer:

Causes of Friction:

Friction is caused by:

Irregularities on surfaces: Even smooth-looking surfaces have tiny bumps and ridges. When two surfaces come in contact, these irregularities interlock, causing friction.
Interlocking of rough edges: The rough edges of the two surfaces get interlocked, opposing motion.
Attractive forces between particles: The particles of the two surfaces attract each other, creating friction.

How to Reduce Friction:

Polishing: Making surfaces smooth by polishing reduces friction.
Lubricants: Applying oil or grease creates a thin layer between surfaces, reducing friction.
Ball bearings: Using ball bearings converts sliding friction into rolling friction, which is much less.
Wheels: Using wheels for transportation reduces friction.
Streamlined shape: For objects moving through fluids, a streamlined shape reduces friction (drag).

Conclusion:
Friction is caused by surface irregularities. We can reduce it by making surfaces smooth or by using lubricants and ball bearings.

Question 9

Explain the importance of force in our daily life.

✅ Answer:

Importance of Force in Daily Life:

Force is essential for almost every activity we do. Here are some examples:

1. Walking and Running:

We apply force on the ground with our feet to move forward.

2. Lifting and Carrying:

We apply muscular force to lift objects like bags, books, and boxes.

3. Opening and Closing:

We apply force to open doors, windows, and jars.

4. Writing and Drawing:

We apply force on the pen or pencil to write.

5. Sports and Games:

We apply force to kick, throw, hit, or catch a ball.

6. Transportation:

Vehicles use force from engines to move.

7. Construction:

Cranes use force to lift heavy materials.

8. Natural Phenomena:

Gravity keeps us on the ground and causes rain to fall.

Conclusion:
Force is an integral part of our daily life. From simple tasks like walking to complex activities like construction, force plays a vital role.

Question 10

What is the difference between mass and weight?

✅ Answer:

Difference between Mass and Weight:

Mass	Weight
Mass is the amount of matter in an object.	Weight is the force with which gravity pulls an object.
It is a scalar quantity.	It is a vector quantity (has direction).
SI unit: kilogram (kg).	SI unit: newton (N).
Mass remains the same everywhere.	Weight changes with location (e.g., on the Moon).
Measured using a beam balance.	Measured using a spring balance.

Conclusion:
Mass and weight are different. Mass is the amount of matter, while weight is the force of gravity on that matter. An object has the same mass everywhere, but its weight changes depending on the gravitational pull.

📘 Quick Revision: Force

Force: Push or pull applied on an object.
Effects of Force: Move, stop, change speed, change direction, change shape.
Contact Forces: Muscular, Friction, Normal, Tension.
Non-Contact Forces: Magnetic, Electrostatic, Gravitational.
Friction: Force opposing motion.
Types of Friction: Static, Sliding, Rolling.
Causes of Friction: Surface irregularities, interlocking, attractive forces.
Reducing Friction: Lubricants, ball bearings, polishing.
SI Unit of Force: Newton (N).
Mass vs Weight: Mass is amount of matter; weight is force of gravity.