Energy is a fundamental concept in science that is defined as the ability to do work. Work is defined as the application of a force to move an object in the direction of the force. Energy can be converted from one form to another, but the total amount of energy remains the same, which is known as the law of conservation of energy. There are many forms of energy, including:
- Potential energy: Energy that is stored and has the potential to do work.
- Kinetic energy: Energy that is associated with motion.
- Heat energy: Energy that is transferred from one object to another due to a difference in temperature.
- Light energy: Energy that is emitted by electromagnetic radiation.
- Electrical energy: Energy that is associated with the movement of charged particles.
- Chemical energy: Energy that is stored in the bonds between atoms and molecules.
- Gravitational energy: Energy that is associated with the gravitational attraction between objects.
Energy is a conserved quantity, which means that it cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. Energy is an attribute of all biological systems, from the smallest cells to the largest ecosystems. Energy is used for a variety of things, such as to move cars along roads and boats through water, to cook food on stoves, to light our homes and offices, to manufacture products, and to send astronauts into space.
