What Is Energy?

Published on 01.08.2015
Middle School
Physics - chemistry

15 min read

Energy drives all natural phenomena, from plant growth and wind to river currents and waves to falling objects. It takes many forms — thermal, kinetic, electrical and others — and one of its key properties is that it can be converted from one form to another.

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Electric currents are found in nature. The best-known examples include lightning and electric fish.

Energy’s Main Properties


The energy contained in matter is invisible, but light, movement, wind, and waves are some of the ways it manifests itself. Whether in its natural form or harnessed by humans, energy can be transmitted from one object to another, often through conversion. However, it cannot be created or destroyed: the universe contains a constant, finite amount of energy.

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Energy: Efficiency, Power and Measurement

Energy transmission and transformation are governed by fundamental rules that impact our daily activities and the energy efficiency of the world in myriad ways.

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Energy in All Its Forms

Stored in objects, molecules and atoms, energy takes many different forms. Whether mechanical, kinetic, thermal, chemical, radiant or nuclear, it can be converted from one form into another.

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