The capacity or ability to do work. It can exist in various forms, such as mechanical, thermal, electrical, or chemical. Energy is an essential element in our daily lives and drives all processes and activities. It can be converted from one form to another and is conserved in a closed system, according to the law of conservation of energy.
Energy can be classified into two main categories: potential and kinetic. Potential energy is stored energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition, such as gravitational potential energy or chemical potential energy. On the other hand, kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion, resulting from its velocity and mass, like the kinetic energy of a moving car or the electrical energy generated by flowing electrons.
Energy can be derived from various sources, both renewable and non-renewable. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy. These sources are replenished naturally and have lower environmental impacts. Non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and nuclear energy, are limited in supply and have significant environmental concerns.
Energy transformations occur when energy changes from one form to another. For example, when a toaster converts electrical energy into thermal energy, or when a hydroelectric dam converts the potential energy of stored water into mechanical energy to generate electricity. These transformations are governed by the laws of thermodynamics, which dictate the efficiency and limits of energy conversion processes.
