Question

What determines whether or not work is being done?

Answer 1

the conservative forces, non conservative forces and the distance.

Answer 2

If you are fighting something that nature is resisting, you are applying positive work.

(For example, if you are trying to push a box, friction will attempt to resist you.)

Answer 3

If the displacement of an object is perpendicular to the force applied on it,no work is done by the force.....And if no displacement happens at all too...