The Area Effector 2D applies forces within an area defined by the attached colliders when another (target) collider comes into contact with the effector. The force can be configured at any angle with a specific magnitude and random variation on that magnitude. Also available is the ability the apply both linear and angular drag forces to slow rigidbodies down.
Colliders that you use with the effector would typically be set as triggers so that other colliders can overlap with it to have forces applied however, non-triggers will still work but forces will only be applied when colliders come into contact with it.