Here's why:

* Magnetic Forces: Magnets exert forces on each other even when they are not touching. This is because they create magnetic fields that interact with each other.

* Gravitational Forces: Gravity is a force of attraction between any two objects with mass. The Earth pulls on you, and you pull on the Earth, even though you aren't touching it.

In contrast, contact forces require direct physical contact between objects:

* Friction: The force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.

* Normal Force: The force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it.

* Tension: The force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable.

* Applied Force: A force applied directly to an object.