Final answer:
A contact force requires direct physical interaction, such as friction, while a non-contact force, like gravity, can act over distance through a field.
Step-by-step explanation:
A contact force differs from a non-contact force in that it requires direct physical interaction between objects, while non-contact forces can act over a distance through a field. An everyday example of a contact force is friction when you rub your hands together to warm them up. The force of friction arises due to the interatomic electric forces between the atoms in your hands as they come into contact. A common everyday example of a non-contact force is gravity, which is the force that the Earth exerts to keep you on the ground without any direct physical contact. Gravity is a long-distance force that operates through the gravitational field.