Work

What is work?

Definition 1   The product of an object's displacement (in meters) times the component of the force (in Newtons) parallel to the object's displacement.

$$W = Fd$$ (65.1)

For work to occur, displacement must occur in the same direction as the force applied, hence the parallel designation. Therefore, carrying a 40 lb. bag of sand does not result in work being done on the bag of sand because the force exerted on the bag (i.e. holding it up) is perpendicular to the direction of the displacement. Conversely, if you drop the bag and kick it along the ground, work will be done.