Energy is an extremely important buzzword used extensively by governments, media, scientists, teachers, but what actually does it mean?
Energy is an extremely difficult concept to define scientifically as it cannot be directly observed. We can only observe energy as part of matter (molecules, atoms and sub-atomic particles including photons).
Importantly the presence of energy enables matter to apply a force, and force results in work. The easy analogy to understand is the plugging of a light that generates a stream of photons. In combustion motors, controlled explosions generate copious quantities of gases that result in high pressures and temperatures within a cylinder that forces a piston to rotate turn an axle.
There is a vast amount of energy in the universe which is conversed (neither created nor destroyed) but the useful forms of energy on Earth are limited.
Energy is divided into two forms; kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy enables motion within matter and particles. Potential or stored energy is waiting for the right conditions to be converted into kinetic energy. However, energy is more complicated, but important concept is stored chemical energy, the kinetic energy associated within the bonds of molecules.
As society has evolved, we have survived ourselves with technology. But this technology needs energy to function (or perform work).
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