Chapter 10, Problem 37A

To determine

To Explain:The force that acts on the object that is sliding at constant speed over a frictionless surface. The work done by each force.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Work done: $W=F\cdot s$

Here, F is the applied force and s is the displacement.

The only force acting on the object moving at constant speed over a frictionless surface is its own weight which balanced by a normal reaction force exerted by the surface on the object. These two forces balance each other. The net force on the object is zero as it is moving with constant speed.

The work done by weight and normal reaction force is zero because these are perpendicular to the displacement of the object. As the dot product of the force and displacement would be zero, the work done by these forces is also zero.

Conclusion:

There is no work done by any force.