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.

(TO DO: expand, organize, cross-reference, illustrate.)

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