Is Work done when there is constant velocity?

[ericka141]

Homework Statement

"You carry your 14.0 kg bag of textbooks horizontally 1.8 m above the ground, at constant velocity for a distance of 25 m. Ignore wind resistance. How much work do you do on the bag in the process?"

Homework Equations

W=Fd
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution

If work equals force times distance, and force is equal to mass times acceleration, wouldn't the whole thing equal zero because of the constant velocity = no acceleration?

 

[Doc Al]

If work equals force times distance, and force is equal to mass times acceleration, wouldn't the whole thing equal zero because of the constant velocity = no acceleration?

The net force on the bag is zero. But what force do you exert and what work does that force do?

 

[Enigman]

...If work equals force times distance...

W=∫F.ds
use that along with what Doc Al suggested.

 

[ericka141]

So is there only work being done in the vertical direction, aka. the force is takes you to physically hold the bag up?

 

[Enigman]

If there's displacement in that direction, yes. Work is proportional to displacement.