Final answer:
To exert a force, you need to apply a physical effort on an object and cause it to move in the direction of the force.
Step-by-step explanation:
For work to be done, a force must be exerted and there must be displacement in the direction of the force. In physics, work is defined as the product of the force applied on an object and the distance over which the force is applied.
For example, if you push a box with a force of 10 Newtons for a distance of 5 meters in the direction of the force, the work done on the box is equal to 10 N multiplied by 5 m, which is 50 Joules.
Therefore, to exert a force, you need to apply a physical effort on an object and cause it to move in the direction of the force.