Question

State the effects of a force applied on

1. A non-rigid, and
2. A rigid body.

How does the effect of the force differ in the two cases?

Answer 1

A force when applied on a non-rigid body changes the interspacing between its constituent particles and therefore causes a change in its dimensions and can also produce motion in it.

On the other hand, a force, when applied on a rigid body, does not change the interspacing between its constituent particles, and therefore it does not change the dimensions of the body but causes motion in it.