# Does a force do work on an object with constant velocity?

I know that a force does no work on an object if the object's displacement is zero, but if an object is moving at a constant velocity $\bar{v}$, and a force $\bar f$ (let's say that $\bar f$ and $\bar v$ have the same direction) acts upon it over a linear distance $d$, but the velocity remains the same (perhaps there is an equal and opposing force $\bar f_{opp}$), does $\bar f$ do work on the object?

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Yes, though in many cases the object will end up transferring the work to something else.

For example suppose you are pushing a boat through water with a force $F$ at a speed $v$. The the power (i.e. work per second) you are supplying to the boat is simply $Fv$. However the boat is in turn pushing on the water and doing work on the water. The work you put in gets transferred through the boat and ends up heating the water.

Response to comment:

Good question, and I think the answer is that no, this isn't work in the usual sense. Friction is basically an adhesive process. Down at the atomic scale the atoms in your box bond with the atoms of the substrate by the usual interatomic forces. To move the box you have to break these bonds and that dissipates energy.

Having said this, there is often a second component to friction i.e. viscous losses in the bulk. If you're pushing the box over a rubber surface the rubber will deform in response to the force exerted by the box, then snap back as the box moves away. In this case the does work on the subtrate is the usual way by deforming it.

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Let me modify your example to ask a follow-up question: Lets say instead of a boat on water, you're pushing a box along a solid surface, and although the box is moving, friction keeps it from accelerating; is the box doing work on the surface? I understand there is an energy transfer in form of heat, but is it actual work? The surface doesn't undergo displacement... –  BlueBomber Oct 26 '13 at 17:18
Hi, I've modified my answer to respond to your comment. –  John Rennie Oct 26 '13 at 17:30
You might be altering the rotation of the earth ever so slightly when pushing a box. –  ja72 Oct 26 '13 at 21:38
Although not if you're standing on the Earth when you push the box. –  John Rennie Oct 27 '13 at 7:25