what occurs when force is applied over a certain distance and motion is in the same direction as the force?

When force is applied over a certain distance and motion is in the same direction as the force, then you have a simple case of "WORK" being done, as it's defined in Physics.

The amount of work done in this case is (the force) multiplied by (the distance).

If the force is measured in Newtons and the distance is measured in meters, then the product has the units of Joules (energy).

An object in motion will continue to move in the same direction and with the same speed unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. states that forces occur as equal and opposite pairs. The strength of the force is related to the mass of the objects and the distance between them.