Energy

In physics, energy is a property of objects which can be transferred to other objects or converted into different forms, but cannot be created or destroyed.

Many forms of energy

Energy has many different forms, making a comprehensive definition difficult.

One common definition: energy is the ability of a system to perform work.

In SI units, energy is measured in joules, the energy transferred to an object by the mechanical work of moving it 1 metre against a force of 1 newton.

Conversion

All of the many forms of energy are convertible to other kinds of energy, and obey the conservation of energy.

Common forms of energy

• The kinetic energy of a moving object
• The radiant energy carried by light
• The potential energy stored by an object's position in a force field
  • Gravitational
  • Electric
  • Magnetic
• The elastic energy stored by stretching solid objects
• The chemical energy released when a fuel burns
• The thermal energy due to an object's temperature

See also

• Computation
• Entropy
• Information theory
• Machine
• Physics

External links

• Energy @ Wikipedia