Forces impact every aspect of our lives.

• They can be thought of as "pushes or pulls" that can change an object's motion and deform its shape.
• They can also act from a distance without any physical contact with the object.

The concept of force dates back to the earliest scientific thoughts.

• Aristotle was one of the key figures who contributed to the development of early scientific ideas, including the concept of force.
• While he did not experiment like a modern scientist, his influence on science remains profound.

Aristotle's theory relied heavily on the 'nature' of all objects.

• He suggested that all objects aim to reach a 'natural state' which is to be stationary on the Earth's surface.
• He separated motions into "natural" (objects falling downwards) and "unnatural" or "forced" (objects requiring a continual force to avoid reaching their 'natural state').

Real-world example: Think of holding a ball in your hand. According to Aristotle, the ball's natural state would be on the ground, so it requires a constant force (your hand holding it up) to keep it from dropping. That's an example of 'unnatural' or 'forced' motion.