SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Non-uniform motion is defined as the type of motion where an object travels unequal distances in equal intervals of time. Since speed is the magnitude of the rate of change of distance, if the speed of an object moving along a straight line keeps changing, it implies that the distance covered by the object in any fixed time duration is not constant. In physics, such motion is characterized by a non-zero acceleration, as the velocity v is a function of time t such that (dv)/(dt) ≠ 0. Consequently, any motion where the velocity or speed is not constant over time is classified as non-uniform.

Explanation

Lubricants are substances introduced between two moving surfaces in contact to minimize friction and wear. They work by creating a thin, protective layer that prevents the microscopic irregularities of the surfaces from interlocking or rubbing directly against each other. By separating the solid surfaces with a fluid or semi-solid film, lubricants convert dry sliding friction into fluid friction, which is much lower in magnitude. Common examples include engine oils, grease, and solid lubricants like graphite, all of which enhance the efficiency and lifespan of mechanical parts.

Explanation

Notepad is a basic text editor that has been an integral component of the Microsoft Windows operating system since the release of Windows 1.0 in 1985. It is a built-in utility designed for creating and editing plain text documents, which are typically saved with the .txt file extension. Because it does not support advanced text formatting like bold or italic styles, it is primarily used by Windows users for simple note-taking, writing short scripts, or editing configuration files within the Windows environment.

Explanation

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a basic metallic oxide that reacts with water (H₂O) to produce magnesium hydroxide. This is a combination reaction represented by the balanced chemical equation MgO + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂. Magnesium belongs to Group 2 of the periodic table and forms a divalent cation Mg²⁺. The hydroxide ion is a polyatomic radical represented as OH⁻ with a valency of -1. According to the rules of chemical valency, the two positive charges of the magnesium ion must be balanced by two hydroxide ions to ensure electrical neutrality in the ionic compound. Consequently, the resulting molecule contains one magnesium atom and two hydroxide groups, giving it the chemical formula Mg(OH)₂. This substance is commonly known as milk of magnesia when prepared as an aqueous suspension and is frequently used as an antacid.

Explanation

Calorific value is defined as the total amount of heat energy produced by the complete combustion of a unit mass of a fuel. It indicates the efficiency of the fuel. The standard mathematical expression for calorific value is CV = (Q)/(m), where Q represents the heat energy released and m represents the mass of the fuel consumed. Since heat energy is measured in kiloJoules (kJ) and mass is measured in kilograms (kg) in the metric system, the unit for calorific value is expressed as kJ/kg. This unit allows for a standardized comparison of the energy content across different types of solid and liquid fuels.

Explanation

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identifies particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, commonly known as PM₂_.₅, as the most hazardous to human health. These fine particles are significant because their extremely small size allows them to be inhaled deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and the alveolar sacs. At this level, they can cause severe inflammation and damage to lung tissue. Furthermore, PM₂_.₅ particles are capable of crossing the lungs' protective barriers to enter the bloodstream, leading to chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and other systemic health complications. Because they bypass the natural filtration mechanisms of the upper airway, they remain the primary concern for public health regarding air pollution.

Explanation

The Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) was a voluntary social security scheme introduced by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for overseas Indian workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports. The scheme was designed to address the social security needs of semi-skilled and unskilled workers by providing a integrated benefit structure. It included a government contribution towards a pension fund to ensure financial security after their return to India or during old age, along with a life insurance cover provided through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to offer protection against natural death during the period of overseas employment. Additionally, the scheme encouraged workers to save for their resettlement upon returning to India.

Explanation

Paul C. Fisher invented the pressurized Space Pen, commonly known as the Fisher Space Pen, in 1965. He developed the Anti-Gravity 7 (AG7) model independently using his own private capital rather than government funding. The pen features a specialized ink cartridge pressurized with nitrogen gas at approximately 35 pounds per square inch, which continuously pushes a thixotropic, gel-like ink toward the tungsten carbide ballpoint. This hermetically sealed design allows the pen to function reliably in the zero-gravity environment of space, upside down, underwater, and in extreme temperatures ranging from -30°F to 250°F. NASA officially adopted the AG7 Space Pen for use by its astronauts starting with the Apollo 7 mission in 1968 after it passed rigorous safety and performance evaluations.

Explanation

The 2015 Rugby World Cup final was contested between Australia and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium in London on October 31, 2015. Australia finished as the runner-up after losing the match 34–17. The Australian team, known as the Wallabies, reached the final by defeating Argentina in the semi-finals. Despite a strong second-half comeback where they reduced the deficit to four points, they were ultimately unable to overcome the New Zealand All Blacks, who became the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup. This marked Australia's second time finishing as runners-up in the tournament's history, the first being in 2003.

Explanation

The Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka, served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The empire was founded in 1336 AD by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty. They established their capital on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, choosing a site that was naturally protected by hills and the river. Under their patronage and that of their successors, the city became a magnificent center of Hindu art and architecture, characterized by massive fortifications, grand Dravidian-style temples like the Virupaksha Temple, and advanced urban planning. These monuments reflect the socio-economic and cultural height reached by the empire initiated by its founding brothers.

Explanation

The Marathi film Kaasav, directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar, won the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for Best Feature Film at the 64th National Film Awards. The film was recognized for its poignant and sensitive portrayal of depression and the healing process, using the metaphor of the life cycle of the Olive Ridley sea turtle. This victory marked a significant moment for Marathi cinema, highlighting its continued strength in the National Film Awards' top category.

Explanation

Norway secured the top position in the 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) report with a score of 0.949. This index is a composite measure released annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Norway consistently ranks at the top due to its exceptional performance across these indicators, including high life expectancy at birth, high mean and expected years of schooling, and a very high Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

Explanation

Sir Creek is a 96 km long tidal estuary located in the uninhabited marshlands of the Indus River Delta, forming the maritime border between India and Pakistan. Specifically, it separates the Kutch district of Gujarat in India from the Sindh province of Pakistan before flowing into the Arabian Sea. The boundary is a subject of a long-standing territorial dispute involving different interpretations of historical maps and international maritime law principles, such as the Thalweg principle. The region is strategically significant due to its rich fishing grounds and the potential presence of oil and gas reserves beneath the sea floor in the surrounding maritime zone.

Explanation

The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a comprehensive record of a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world, composed primarily of the current account and the capital account. According to the BoP identity, the sum of the current account and the capital account must equal zero (Current Account + Capital Account = 0). When a nation experiences a current account deficit, it means the value of the goods, services, and transfers it imports exceeds the value of those it exports. This deficit must be settled by a corresponding surplus in the capital account. A capital account surplus indicates that the net inflow of funds from foreign investments, loans, and other financial transactions is positive, providing the necessary foreign exchange to finance the excess spending in the current account.

Explanation

Average product is the total physical product produced per unit of the variable input employed in the production process. It is calculated by dividing the total product by the quantity of the variable factor, such as labor or raw materials, used to produce that output. The mathematical representation of this relationship is AP = (TP)/(L), where AP is the average product, TP is the total product, and L represents the number of units of the variable input. This measure helps in understanding the efficiency and productivity of variable factors at different levels of production.

Explanation

Taxes on lands and buildings are categorized under Entry 49 of the State List (List II) in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Article 246 of the Constitution grants state legislatures the exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in this list. This entry specifically authorizes state governments to levy and collect taxes on immovable property, which frequently serves as a major source of revenue for state governments and is often delegated to local bodies such as municipalities and panchayats for urban and rural development.

Explanation

Maharashtra is allocated 19 seats in the Rajya Sabha, which is the Upper House of the Parliament of India. According to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and the Union Territories is based on their respective populations. The members representing Maharashtra are elected by the elected members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly through the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. Maharashtra holds the second-highest number of seats in the Rajya Sabha, surpassed only by Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation

Akbar was born on October 15, 1542, at Umarkot. He ascended the Mughal throne on February 14, 1556, following the sudden death of his father, Humayun. At the time of his coronation at Kalanaur in Punjab, he was 13 years and 4 months old. Because he was a minor at the time of his accession, his mentor and general Bairam Khan was appointed as his regent to manage the affairs of the empire until Akbar reached maturity.

Explanation

Sultan Mahmud, widely known as Mahmud of Ghazni, was the most powerful ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, which had its capital at Ghazni in present-day Afghanistan. He ruled from 998 to 1030 CE, succeeding his father Sabuktigin. Mahmud expanded his kingdom into a vast empire through numerous military campaigns, including seventeen raids into the Indian subcontinent to seize wealth and resources. His patronage turned the city of Ghazni into a major cultural and intellectual center of the Islamic world, attracting renowned scholars like Al-Biruni and the poet Firdausi.

Explanation

When a river reaches the relatively flat land of a plain, its velocity decreases and lateral erosion becomes more prominent than vertical erosion. The river begins to swing from side to side, seeking the path of least resistance. As water flows around a slight bend, the centrifugal force causes it to move faster against the outer bank, eroding it, while slower water on the inner bank deposits sediment. This continuous cycle of erosion on the outer curves and deposition on the inner curves accentuates the loops, creating the winding, S-shaped bends known as meanders. These features are typical of the middle and lower courses of a river system.

Explanation

Contour barriers are a soil conservation technique where stones, grass, or soil are placed along the natural contour lines of a slope to create physical obstructions. These barriers effectively reduce the velocity of surface runoff, which prevents the washing away of fertile topsoil. To enhance the efficiency of this method, trenches are excavated directly in front of the barriers to intercept and collect rainwater. This setup not only minimizes erosion but also facilitates groundwater recharge and improves soil moisture levels, making it highly effective for farming in hilly or undulating terrains.

Explanation

The scrotum is a pouch-like sac of skin and smooth muscle that contains the testes and is situated outside the abdominal cavity. This external position is crucial for the process of spermatogenesis, as it allows the testes to be maintained at a temperature approximately 2 to 2.5°C lower than the normal internal body temperature of 37°C. This lower temperature is essential for the production and maturation of viable sperm, which cannot develop effectively at core body temperature. The scrotum functions as a biological climate control system, contracting or relaxing to move the testes closer to or further from the body to regulate their thermal environment.

Explanation

Gymnosperms are a distinct group of vascular plants characterized by the production of naked seeds that are not enclosed within an ovary or fruit. In the classification of the plant kingdom, algae are simpler, primarily aquatic organisms that lack a vascular system and are traditionally categorized into three main classes based on their dominant photosynthetic pigments: Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyceae. Gymnosperms represent a much higher level of evolutionary complexity, featuring specialized tissues for water transport and complex reproductive structures like cones, which differentiates them entirely from the thalloid structure of algae.

Explanation

Phylum Porifera includes primitive multicellular organisms commonly referred to as sponges. These organisms are characterized by a unique water canal system where water enters through minute pores called ostia, travels into a central cavity known as the spongocoel, and exits through the osculum. Sycon, or Scypha, is a marine sponge that demonstrates this structure. Spongilla is a rare example of a sponge that inhabits freshwater ecosystems. Euspongia is famously known as the bath sponge because of its soft, spongin-fiber skeleton. Members of this phylum typically possess choanocytes or collar cells, which are essential for maintaining water flow and capturing food particles, reflecting their cellular level of organization.

Explanation

According to Newton's Second Law of Motion, F = ma, an applied force generates acceleration in the same direction as the force. When this force is applied in the direction opposite to the object's motion, the acceleration vector is directed against the velocity vector, a condition known as retardation or deceleration. This results in a continuous reduction in the magnitude of the object's velocity over time, causing the speed to decrease.

Explanation

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. According to the formula a = (Δ v)/(Δ t), the unit of acceleration is derived by dividing the unit of velocity by the unit of time. In the International System of Units (SI), velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s) and time is measured in seconds (s). Dividing m/s by s results in m/s², which is expressed as meters per second squared. This unit quantifies how much the velocity of an object changes during each second of its motion.

Explanation

The MIN() function in Microsoft Excel is a built-in statistical tool designed to identify and return the smallest numerical value from a specified set of data. It can accept various types of arguments, including numbers, named ranges, arrays, or cell references. When evaluating a range, the function considers only numerical data and ignores empty cells, logical values, or text. For instance, in a dataset containing the values 15, 8, 22, and 4, the formula =MIN(15, 8, 22, 4) will output 4. It is widely used in data analysis to determine the lower bound of a series or to find the earliest date in a chronological list, as Excel stores dates as sequential serial numbers.

Explanation

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is widely used in fire extinguishers because it is a non-flammable gas that is significantly denser than oxygen. When discharged, it creates a blanket over the fuel, displacing the oxygen necessary for the combustion process to continue. Additionally, as CO₂ is stored under high pressure as a liquid, it absorbs a substantial amount of heat when it expands into a gas, providing a cooling effect on the fire. It is especially preferred for electrical fires because it is non-conductive and for fires involving sensitive equipment as it evaporates completely without leaving any chemical residue or water damage.

Explanation

When magnesium is burnt in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes a chemical reaction to form magnesium oxide (MgO). This process is a combustion reaction that releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and a brilliant white light. The physical product of this reaction is a fine, white powdery residue. In the context of burning materials, this solid residue is commonly called ash. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is 2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s). The magnesium oxide formed is basic in nature and serves as a classic example of a metal reacting with oxygen to form a metallic oxide.

Explanation

The salt concentration of water bodies is classified based on the level of salinity measured in parts per thousand (ppt). According to environmental and biological standards, inland waters such as rivers, lakes, and streams are defined as having a salinity of less than 5 parts per thousand. This low concentration of dissolved salts distinguishes freshwater ecosystems from marine environments, where the salinity typically ranges between 30 and 35 parts per thousand, and from hypersaline lagoons, which can have salt concentrations exceeding 100 parts per thousand.

Explanation

The Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan was launched by the Central Government in April 2016 to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. This nationwide campaign was designed specifically to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and promote social harmony in rural areas. Its core objectives include improving the livelihoods of farmers and the poor through the active participation of Gram Sabhas in the development process. By focusing on village-level governance and the empowerment of local bodies, the scheme seeks to drive national progress through rural upliftment, ensuring that the benefits of various government initiatives reach the grassroots level efficiently.

Explanation

Albert Einstein is credited with the discovery of the photon through his theoretical explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905. He proposed that electromagnetic radiation is composed of discrete packets of energy, which he called light quanta. According to Einstein, the energy of each individual quantum is determined by the formula E = h ν, where h is Planck constant and ν is the frequency of the light. This concept shifted the understanding of light from purely wave-like behavior to a particle-wave duality, establishing that light travels in localized bundles. His work on the quantization of light provided the necessary framework for quantum mechanics and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

Explanation

Chelsea Football Club won the 2016-17 Premier League title, finishing the season with 93 points. Under the management of Antonio Conte, who was in his first season with the club, Chelsea secured the championship with two games to spare after a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on May 12, 2017. This victory marked Chelsea's fifth Premier League title since the competition's inception in 1992 and their sixth top-flight English title overall. The team set a then-record for the most wins in a single Premier League season, recording 30 victories out of 38 matches.

Explanation

Gol Gumbaz, located in Vijayapura, Karnataka, is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, who was the seventh Sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty. The structure was designed by the architect Yaquf of Dabul and completed in 1656. It is celebrated as one of the finest examples of Deccan Indo-Islamic architecture, featuring one of the largest single-chamber spaces in the world. The building is particularly famous for its massive central dome and the internal whispering gallery, where the unique acoustics allow even the slightest sound to be heard clearly on the opposite side of the vast dome.

Explanation

The song Girl Crush, performed by Little Big Town, won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards held in February 2016. This award is presented to the songwriters of the track, which for this specific song included Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose. In addition to winning Best Country Song, the track also earned the award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the same ceremony, cementing its place as one of the most critically acclaimed country tracks of that year.

Explanation

Josh Malerman is the author of the post-apocalyptic novel Bird Box, published in 2014. Victor LaValle is the author of the 2012 literary horror novel The Devil in Silver. The novel Fellside, published in 2016, was written by M.R. Carey. Statement A is incorrect because it attributes Bird Box to Victor LaValle instead of Josh Malerman. Statement B is incorrect because it attributes The Devil in Silver to Josh Malerman instead of Victor LaValle. Statement C is incorrect because it attributes Fellside to Victor LaValle instead of M.R. Carey. Consequently, all three statements provide false information regarding the authors of these works.

Explanation

In April 2017, the Australian government, under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, announced the abolition of the Subclass 457 visa program. This visa was the primary mechanism used by Australian businesses to sponsor skilled foreign workers for temporary stays. The policy change was designed to address domestic unemployment by ensuring that Australian citizens were given priority for local jobs. The 457 visa was subsequently replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which implemented more stringent eligibility criteria, including tighter English language requirements and a reduced list of eligible occupations. At the time of the announcement, Indian nationals were the largest cohort of 457 visa holders, predominantly working in the information technology and healthcare sectors, making India the country most affected by this regulatory shift.

Explanation

The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) is the first regional institution established by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It was started in 1988 as the SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) and is headquartered at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Complex in Farmgate, Dhaka. The centre serves as a regional hub for the exchange of agricultural information and the promotion of research and development among member states to enhance food security and rural livelihoods across South Asia.

Explanation

In microeconomics, a normal good is defined by its positive correlation between consumer income and quantity demanded. This relationship is characterized by a positive income elasticity of demand, where E_y > 0. As a consumer's disposable income rises, their purchasing power increases, allowing them to buy more of such goods to enhance their standard of living. Consequently, an increase in income leads to a rightward shift in the demand curve for these commodities, assuming all other factors remain constant.

Explanation

The relationship between Marginal Cost (MC) and Average Variable Cost (AVC) is governed by the mathematical property of averages. When the marginal value is less than the average value, the average must be falling, and when the marginal value is greater than the average value, the average must be rising. Consequently, the MC curve stays below the AVC curve as long as AVC is decreasing. As production increases and diminishing marginal returns set in, MC begins to rise. When MC eventually equals AVC, the AVC curve reaches its minimum point. To transition from being lower than the average to being higher than the average, the MC curve must pass through the AVC curve from underneath. Thus, the MC curve intersects the AVC curve from below at its minimum point.

Explanation

The subject of Forests is included in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Originally, Forests was a subject under the State List, but it was transferred to the Concurrent List through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. This constitutional arrangement empowers both the Union Government and the State Governments to legislate on matters related to forest management and conservation. The inclusion in the Concurrent List ensures that while States manage their regional resources, the Central Government can provide a uniform national framework for the protection and preservation of the environment and ecological balance.

Explanation

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. This right forms the core of the Right to Equality, which spans from Articles 14 to 18. The phrase equal protection of the laws implies that all persons in similar circumstances shall be treated alike, both in terms of privileges conferred and liabilities imposed by the laws. It is a positive concept that requires the state to ensure that every individual is protected by the same legal standards and processes without any discrimination. This principle ensures that the law is administered equally among equals, thereby upholding the rule of law and preventing arbitrary state action.

Explanation

Aurangzeb emerged victorious in the Mughal war of succession that began in 1657. After defeating his brothers and securing the throne, he confined his father, Shah Jahan, to the Agra Fort in 1658. Shah Jahan lived the remaining eight years of his life as a captive within the fort, specifically in the Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower that provided a view of the Taj Mahal. He remained under house arrest until his death in 1666, attended by his daughter Jahanara Begum.

Explanation

The Simon Commission, formally known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was sent to India in 1928 to examine the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms. The commission was appointed by the British government to evaluate the progress of the administrative system and determine the extent to which responsible government could be introduced in India. Led by Sir John Simon, the group arrived in February 1928 to conduct inquiries and gather evidence for a report that would eventually shape the Government of India Act 1935.

Explanation

Granite is a primary example of an intrusive igneous rock, also known as plutonic rock. It forms when magma cools and solidifies slowly deep within the Earth's crust. This slow cooling process allows large mineral crystals to grow, giving granite its characteristic coarse-grained or phaneritic texture. The rock is typically composed of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica, which aggregate together during the crystallization of the underground magma chamber.

Explanation

The Himalayan mountain system consists of three parallel ranges: the Great Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Outer Himalayas or Shiwaliks. Duns are longitudinal structural valleys formed between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks. These valleys were created when the southward-flowing rivers were temporarily dammed by the rising Shiwalik range, forming large lakes. Over time, these lakes were filled with sediments consisting of coarse gravel and alluvium. Once the rivers breached the Shiwalik range, the lakes drained away, leaving behind flat-floored valleys. Dehradun is the most well-known example of such a valley, along with others like Kotli Dun and Patli Dun.

Explanation

Multicellular organisms increase their body size and mass primarily through the process of cell division. In eukaryotes, this usually occurs via mitosis, where a progenitor cell duplicates its genetic material and splits into two identical daughter cells. This repeated cycle of division leads to an increase in the total number of cells, allowing the organism to develop from a single-celled zygote, grow complex tissues, and replace damaged or aging cells. Growth is therefore a direct result of the accumulation of these new cells, which may also undergo subsequent cell enlargement and differentiation to perform specific biological functions.

Explanation

The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flowering plant, collectively forming the androecium. It consists of a long, slender stalk known as the filament and a terminal structure called the anther. The anther contains pollen sacs where pollen grains are produced through the process of microsporogenesis. These pollen grains function as the male gametophytes, which eventually generate the male gametes necessary for the fertilization of the plant's ovules.

Explanation

In the hierarchical classification of animal complexity, the organ system level of organization is found in phyla such as Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata. At this level, different organs are physically or chemically associated to perform a coordinated physiological function, such as the digestive system, respiratory system, or circulatory system. This integration allows for greater efficiency and specialization in life processes compared to the cellular, tissue, or simple organ levels of organization. In Annelids and Molluscs, these systems are well-defined, representing a high degree of structural and functional complexity where multiple organs work in tandem to maintain homeostasis.

Explanation

Muscular force is the force exerted by the action of muscles within a living body, such as that of a human or an animal. It is classified as a contact force because it can only be applied when the body is in direct physical interaction with an object. Whether it is lifting a weight, pushing a heavy box, or pulling a cart, the force originates from the contraction and relaxation of muscles and requires a physical touch to transfer energy and create motion. Because it cannot act over a distance or through a field without physical contact, it is a fundamental example of a contact force.