What Is Energy

Energy is the ability of an object or system to do work with the help of force. The different forms of energy include mechanical energy, gravitational energy, thermal energy, electric energy, chemical energy and nuclear energy. Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed and also the total energy of a system does not change with time; its value usually depends on the frame of reference. The concept of energy is widespread in all sciences. In biology, energy is a part of every creature on this earth and is responsible for growth and development of a biological cell or an organelle of a biological organism. While in physics, energy is calculation of the work done by force. Energy is a vast field and is differentiated in many parts. Read on to know the various forms of energy.

 

Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object, when force is applied on it. It is also known as moving energy. Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples of stored mechanical energy. There are four forms of mechanical energy, namely, elastic potential energy, kinetic energy, surface energy and sound energy.

Gravitational energy is the energy of place or position. For example, a book kept on a table or the water in a reservoir behind a hydropower dam. When the water is released to spin the turbines, it becomes motion energy. Similarly, when a book is thrown from the table, the motion is called gravitational energy.

 

Thermal energy is the energy created when the kinetic energy and potential energy of an object are mixed together. It is also referred to as the flow of energy from one object to another. For example, conversion of solid things to liquid, and liquid to solid i.e. ice.

The energy produced by moving electrons through a substance is known as electrical energy. Everything that works with the help of electricity use electric energy. CD players, TVs and Video games are some examples. Electric energy has been further classified into four parts, which are electrostatic, electricity, magnetic and electromagnetic.

Chemical energy is the form of potential energy, which when combined with a chemical, gives a new kind of product. It is the energy stored in food, gasoline or chemical combinations. Examples include striking a match, combining vinegar and baking soda to form CO₂ gas, breaking light sticks, and so on.

 

Nuclear energy is the energy released during a nuclear reaction i.e. when a small particle of matter is split or combined. The energy stored in nucleus of an atom is referred to as nuclear energy.