Energy

Extracted Attributes

• Definition

  Quantitative property transferred to a body or physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat and light; the capacity for doing work

• Common Forms

  Kinetic, Potential, Elastic, Chemical, Radiant, Internal, Rest energy, Thermal, Electrical, Nuclear

• Origin of Name

  Ancient Greek "enérgeia" ('activity')

• Role in Biology

  Attribute of all biological systems, responsible for growth and development, constantly taken in and released by organisms

• Standard Unit (SI)

  Joule (J)

• Fundamental Principle

  Law of conservation of energy (conserved quantity, can be converted but not created or destroyed)

• Role in Earth's Systems

  Drives climate and ecosystems (primarily solar radiant energy)

• Role in Human Civilization

  Required for function, provided by the energy industry from resources like fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, and renewable energy

• Key People (associated with concept/development)

  William Thomson (Baron Kelvin), Hans Bethe, Lev Davidovich Landau, Lyman Spitzer, James Prescott Joule

Energy

Energy (from Ancient Greek ἐνέργεια (enérgeia) 'activity') is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat and light. Energy is a conserved quantity—the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement for energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J). Forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object (for instance due to its position in a field), the elastic energy stored in a solid object, chemical energy associated with chemical reactions, the radiant energy carried by electromagnetic radiation, the internal energy contained within a thermodynamic system, and rest energy associated with an object's rest mass. These are not mutually exclusive. All living organisms constantly take in and release energy. The Earth's climate and ecosystems processes are driven primarily by radiant energy from the sun. The energy industry provides the energy required for human civilization to function, which it obtains from energy resources such as fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, and renewable energy.

Web Search Results

• Energy - Wikipedia

  Energy (from Ancient Greek ἐνέργεια (enérgeia) 'activity') is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work "Work (thermodynamics)") and in the form of heat and light. Energy is a conserved quantity—the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement for energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J). [...] In the context of chemistry, energy is an attribute of a substance as a consequence of its atomic, molecular, or aggregate structure. Since a chemical transformation is accompanied by a change in one or more of these kinds of structure, it is usually accompanied by a decrease, and sometimes an increase, of the total energy of the substances involved. Some energy may be transferred between the surroundings and the reactants in the form of heat or light; thus the products of a reaction have [...] In biology, energy is an attribute of all biological systems, from the biosphere to the smallest living organism. Within an organism it is responsible for growth and development of a biological cell "Cell (biology)") or organelle of a biological organism. Energy used in respiration "Respiration (physiology)") is stored in substances such as carbohydrates (including sugars), lipids, and proteins stored by cells "Cell (biology)"). In human terms, the human equivalent (H-e) (Human energy

• Energy | Definition, Types, Examples, & Facts | Britannica

  energy, in physics, the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms. There are, moreover, heat and work—i.e., energy in the process of transfer from one body to another. After it has been transferred, energy is always designated according to its nature. Hence, heat transferred may become thermal energy, while work done may manifest itself in the form of mechanical energy. [...] Key People: : William Thomson, Baron Kelvin : Hans Bethe : Lev Davidovich Landau : Lyman Spitzer : James Prescott Joule (Show more) Related Topics: : combustion : geothermal energy : wind power : solar energy : free energy (Show more) See all related content Top Questions ### What is energy? Energy is the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, helectrical, chemical, nuclear, or other forms. [...] Energy is treated in a number of articles. For the development of the concept of energy and the principle of energy conservation, see principles of physical science; mechanics; thermodynamics; and conservation of energy. For the major sources of energy and the mechanisms by which the transition of energy from one form to another occurs, see coal; solar energy; wind power; nuclear fission; oil shale; petroleum; electromagnetism; and energy conversion.

• Forms of energy - Energy Kids - EIA

  Scientists define energy as the ability to do work. Modern civilization is possible because people have learned how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work. We use energy for a variety of things, such as walking and bicycling, moving cars along roads and boats through water, cooking and refrigerating food, lighting our homes and offices, manufacturing products, and even sending astronauts into space. Forms of energy [...] Energy is grouped into two general categores for doing work: Potential energy Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position. Chemical energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. Batteries, biomass, petroleum, natural gas, and coal are examples of chemical energy. For example, chemical energy is converted to thermal energy when people burn wood in a fireplace or burn gasoline in a car's engine. [...] Kinetic energy is the motion of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules, substances, and objects. Radiant energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and radio waves. Light is one type of radiant energy. Sunshine is radiant energy, which provides the fuel and warmth that make life on earth possible.

• What Is Energy? - Energy Kids - EIA

  Periodic Table Coal, natural gas, and oil are hydrocarbons made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Learn more about hydrogen, carbon, and the other chemical elements in this standard periodic table. More » Forms of Energy Energy forms are either potential or kinetic. Potential energy comes in forms that are stored and includes chemical, gravitational, mechanical, and nuclear. Kinetic energy is energy in movement and includes electrical energy, heat, light, and sound. Energy Calculators [...] Energy Kids: U.S. Energy Information Administration What Is Energy? Energy Basics Learn about the definition of energy, the forms that it comes in, and the difference between renewable and nonrenewable sources. More Energy Basics » Energy Units Basics How do we compare different types of fuels? One practical way is to convert the physical units of fuels, such as weight or volume, into British thermal units or "Btu." A Btu is a precise measure of the heat content of fuels. More » [...] From gallons to British thermal units (Btu), kilowatthours to megajoules, short tons to metric tons, this handy calculator converts from one energy unit to another. More » Ask Energy Ant about energy. » What Is Energy? Energy Sources Using & Saving Energy History of Energy Calculators & Tools Games & Activities Glossary For Teachers U.S. Energy Information Administration

• What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source? - EIA

  A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ ### Today in Energy Short, timely articles with graphics on energy, facts, issues, and trends. ### Energy Explained What is Energy? Units & Calculators U.S. Energy Facts Use of Energy Energy & Environment Petroleum Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Electricity Hydrogen Hydropower Biofuels Biomass Wind Geothermal Solar [...] | Energy source | Billion kWh | Share of total | | --- | --- | --- | | Total - all sources | 4,178 | | Fossil fuels (total) | 2,505 | 60.0% | | Natural gas | 1,802 | 43.1% | | Coal | 675 | 16.2% | | Petroleum (total) | 16 | 0.4% | | Petroleum liquids | 12 | 0.3% | | Petroleum coke | 5 | 0.1% | | Other gases 3 | 11 | 0.3% | | Nuclear | 775 | 18.6% | | Renewables (total) | 894 | 21.4% | | Wind | 425 | 10.2% | | Hydropower | 240 | 5.7% | | Solar (total) | 165 | 3.9% |

• Instance Of

  Q4167410

In physics, energy (from Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια, enérgeia, “activity”) is the quantitative property that is to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat and light. Energy is a conserved quantity—the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement for energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J). Common forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object (for instance due to its position in a field), the elastic energy stored in a solid object, chemical energy associated with chemical reactions, the radiant energy carried by electromagnetic radiation, and the internal energy contained within a thermodynamic system. All living organisms constantly take in and release energy. Due to mass–energy equivalence, any object that has mass when stationary (called rest mass) also has an equivalent amount of energy whose form is called rest energy, and any additional energy (of any form) acquired by the object above that rest energy will increase the object's total mass just as it increases its total energy. Human civilization requires energy to function, which it gets from energy resources such as fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, or renewable energy. The Earth's climate and ecosystems processes are driven by the energy the planet receives from the Sun (although a small amount is also contributed by geothermal energy).