Actually to lift the bar you need to exert a force that at least matches the force of gravity on the bar, then you can lift it up at constant velocity (equilibrium). To accelerate the bar, you need to apply more than the weight of the bar. Excellent analysis Kgraham30!
Believe it or not, you're not actually doing any work as you carry an order from the back to the front (at least from a physics standpoint). We'll discuss it soon, but this will make a GREAT example!
Great blog post -- and for those going into medicine, fluid mechanics, a branch of physics, is extremely important! (Think blood flow, capillary action, etc.)
And now we're starting to make electronics small enough that the wave nature of particles is coming into play. Quantum electronic devices are becoming reality, and gate thickness of transistors are becoming so thin that electrons tunneling through dielectrics becomes a problem (or a feature).
We'll have to study up on safety measures in cars here shortly... air bags, seat belts, crumple zones... especially with a certain new driver on the road!