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Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Force at Distance

The following 6 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.

List of first 10 items

• Is wind an example of force at a distance?
• Does force at a distance push?
• What is a force at a distance?
• Easier to push or pull
• How do waves travel in space?
• Wants to move heavy objects

Next 10

Is wind an example of force at a distance?

Question

January 14, 2008

is wind an example of force at a distance? If not, why not?

- USA

15133

Answer

Wind consists of moving atoms or molecules that are directly striking against an object. Thus, they are not a force at a distance, which is a force caused by some field where matter is relatively far apart.

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Does force at a distance push?

Question

June 2, 2005

Sir, I strongly feel that any invisible force cannot be a pull as only a solid and rigid body can establish a pull. So all invisible forces are pushes of some kind established in some way.
Please advise if this can be true?
Anil K.
Bangalore
Date: Jun/02/2005

Anil - India

7148

Answer

Gravity is an invisible force at a distance, and it only pulls an object toward the other object. It is possible that the force of gravity wraps around, so to push the object, but that seems unlikely.

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What is a force at a distance?

Question

February 1, 2005

I have a question. Some forces can act at a distance, What does this mean?

Mask - Australia

5808

Answer

When you push on a door, you are applying a force directly on the door. But suppose it was an iron door and you moved it with a magnet without touching the door. That would be a force at a distance.

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Easier to push or pull

Question

June 13, 2004

I HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION TO ASK YOU --WHICH IS EASIER PUSHING OR PULLING A HEAVY OBJECT ON A HORIZONTAL SMOOTH FLOOR .PLEASE EXPLAIN .THANKS

TARUN - BAHRAIN

3543

Answer

The friction force holding the object back would be the same either way. Physically, it is easier to push something than pull. In order to pull, you either need a handle or something to grab onto.

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How do waves travel in space?

Question

January 27, 2004

dear mr kurtus
thank you for taking the time to reply to my previus Emails concerning EM waves.
my predicament however goes a beat deeper.
I am aware of the duality that exist in modern science, concerning waves and particles, taking this into account, I still dont understand how forces such as light, magntism, electricity, etc. travel throgh space. for if I understand correctly (which I doubt), what we realy observe its waves that been created by certain forces (that will be like throwing a stone into a lake and observing the waves or riples on the lake).
now wile I can compare the initial energy that cause a EM wave to a stone, what is the equivalent of the lake?!!!
I sopuse we can use the above mentioned duality (which is a bit off a mess in itself as far as science go) and say that gravity and other waves dont travel throgh any substance but actualy emmiting certain particles that travel throgh space, which seemes quite incrdible to accept a situsion where such relative low initial energy (such as striking a match) can cause a particle to travel throgh empty space at such great velocity and over such great distances.
the other way to approch the problem (which seems more reasnoable) is to look at this forces as waves or disturbances, in which case we have to decide what is it that being waved or disturbed (in other words what is the "lake" made off)while i'm trying to find out the nature off this "lake" I have to assume that the observable field in itself such as a magnetic field is just an observable result of interaction between the magntic force and the "lake" and not the "lake" itself
I further more have to assume that such a "lake" should be quite consisten throhout space as far as its density and other property goes.
can you please tel me if there is any theory or reacerch concerning such a "lake", if not can you give me a direction to proceed whith this sbject.
thank you for taking the time to read and response to my queries.
sincerly yours
motti zada

motti -

2150

Answer

Up until around 1920, it was thought that space consisted of a substance called aether and that light, etc. was caused by ripples in it. The problem was that it contradicted the Theory of Relativity. Since then there has been no satisfactory explanation of how the various waves travel in space, except to say they are sometimes particles. There is some thought that perhaps space does consist of this aether material. Other than that, there is no real explanation to answer your questions.

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Wants to move heavy objects

Question

November 14, 2003

I AM TRYING TO MOVE HEAVY OBJECTS WITH MAGNETIC FORCE ALONE. NO WHEELS, NO PULLY. THE FORCE ALONE. TRYING TO DIRECT THE FORCE WHERE I NEED IT AND MOVE TONS ON MY OWN.
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME.


RUBEN

RUBEN -

1244

Answer

First of all, the material must be affected by magnetic fields--like iron. Secondly, you can only pull materials like iron toward you with the magnetic field. If you pick up an object with a magnet, then you need a way to move it to another area.

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