What Is Energy?

Energy is the ability to do work.  Energy can cause motion or create change.  We use it to do things for us. It moves cars along the road and boats over the water. It bakes a cake in the oven and keeps ice frozen in the freezer. It plays our favorite songs on the radio and lights our homes. Energy is needed for our bodies to grow and it allows our minds to think.  The main source of energy on Earth is the Sun.   

Energy is found in different forms including light, heat, chemical, and motion. There are many forms of energy, but they can all be put into two categories: potential and kinetic.  Potential can be described as stored energy.  Kinetic is described as moving or working energy. 

For example, the food you eat contains chemical energy, and your body stores this energy until you use it when you work or play.  Energy is in everything. We use energy for everything we do

Forms of Energy:  Energy comes in different forms and can change from one form to another:

• Heat (thermal)
• Light (radiant)
• Motion (kinetic)
• Electrical
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Sound




Forms of Energy