microscopic

[] At short distances, forces can often be described as individual particles interacting with one another. These interactions can be characterized by the exchange of energy (and momentum). For example, when a car skids to a stop, the molecules in the tires are crashing into molecules that make up the surface of the road, causing them to vibrate more on the tire (i.e., heat up the tire) or to be ripped from their bonds with the tire (i.e., create skid marks).