Question

A weightlifter holds a barbell motionless at her chest as she prepares to lift it over her head. The work done by the weightlifter to hold the barbell in this position is

Answer 1

Answer:

it's a bit of a trick question

Explanation:

W = distance X force

when the distance is zero,  the work is zero.  So when she holds the weight   without moving them she is doing no work.  But, to be fair, that's just the wording,  what "work" means.   she is actually producing a force,  that is equal to the weight of the barbells, to hold them against the graviational force.  

Answer 2

I really want to be able to say "It depends on the size of her chest.".
But it doesn't. As long as the barbell is motionless, no work is being done on it.