For work to be done on an object: *
The work input must be equal to the work output
The energy input must be equal to the energy output
Only a force must be applied, moving the object is not required
The object has to move a distance when a force is applied to it

The object has to move a distance when a force is applied to it

Explanation:

For work to be done on a body the force applied must move the body through a particular distance.

  Work done  = Force x distance  

If no distance is moved by the force, no work is done.

Also, the angle between the force and the distance must be 0 to do the maximum work on the body.

the old alchemists made significant contributions to science even though there starting premises were off a bit. their conclusions after failure would steer them into better directions for investigation. science is no more than close observation and the initial mistakes result in rethinking and retrying experiments.