We've all heard the term energy at some point in our lives, or on multiple occasions - but what is it and how does it relate to our daily lives? Energy, in simple terms, is the capacity to do things such as work, produce heat or light, and drive motion. Of course, everyone should know that it takes energy to do specific things. If you play a sport, it takes energy for your body to run or dodge the other players. If you go swimming, it takes energy to move in the water. It takes energy for us to do things in our daily lives without us even realizing.
Energy can be observed in various forms, each playing a crucial role in our daily lives and the functioning of the universe. For instance, kinetic energy is present in moving objects, while potential energy is stored in systems, such as a compressed spring or elevated water in a dam. Additionally, thermal energy, which is related to temperature, is evident in heat transfer processes, and chemical energy is found in the bonds of molecules, released during reactions. Furthermore, electrical energy powers our homes and devices, while nuclear energy, derived from atomic reactions, serves as a significant power source.