Force - GCSE Physics Definition
Reviewed by: Leander Oates
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What is force?
In GCSE Physics, force is defined as a push or pull that acts upon an object as a result of its interaction with another object. Force is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.
Forces can cause objects to start moving, stop moving, change direction, or change shape. Forces can occur through direct contact, like friction, or at a distance, like gravitational or magnetic forces.
The unit of force is the newton (N), named after Sir Isaac Newton. His laws of motion describe how forces interact with objects.
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