Which statement best defines a force?

Which statement best defines a force?

• A. A push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object
• B. A measure of how fast an object is moving
• C. Energy stored in a spring
• D. The energy of motion

Answer: (A)

A force is a push or pull on an object that results from its interaction with another object. This interaction can be a direct touch, like pushing a door, or an action-at-a-distance, like gravity or magnetism. Forces are what cause changes in motion or shape, such as starting, speeding up, slowing down, stopping, or bending an object. The other ideas describe different quantities: speed is how fast something moves; potential energy is stored energy in a spring; kinetic energy is the energy of motion. So the statement that best defines a force is the push or pull arising from interaction with another object.

A force is a push or pull on an object that results from its interaction with another object. This interaction can be a direct touch, like pushing a door, or an action-at-a-distance, like gravity or magnetism. Forces are what cause changes in motion or shape, such as starting, speeding up, slowing down, stopping, or bending an object. The other ideas describe different quantities: speed is how fast something moves; potential energy is stored energy in a spring; kinetic energy is the energy of motion. So the statement that best defines a force is the push or pull arising from interaction with another object.