Energy ultimately comes from various sources, but the primary origin of nearly all energy on Earth is the Sun. The Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion reactions in its core, releasing massive amounts of energy as light and heat
. This solar energy is captured and stored in different forms:
- Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy via photosynthesis, which then enters the food chain as animals consume plants or other animals
- Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas store ancient solar energy from long-dead plants and organisms
- Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydropower, and biomass are driven by solar energy influencing Earth's atmosphere and water cycles
- Nuclear energy originates from atomic reactions, such as fission in nuclear power plants or fusion in the Sun itself
In summary, energy we use daily is transformed from one form to another but traces back to the Sun's nuclear fusion or Earth's internal heat (geothermal). This energy is conserved and continuously cycles through different processes in nature and technology
