Where Does Energy Come From & What Types Of Energy Are There

All of our energy comes from the sun, which is our nearest star. The sun sends out huge amounts of energy through its rays every day. We call this energy solar energy or radiant energy. Without the sun, life on earth would not exist, since our planet would be totally frozen.

Energy is the ability to do work.

Related to the movement of objects or its position in gravity

Relates to the repetitive compression (squeezing) and rarefaction (letting out) of molecules in a substance (solid, liquid, gas)

Related to the potential energy stored in the bonds between atoms in a compound; results from chemical reactions between atoms or molecules

Radiant energy, also known as electromagnetic radiation (EMR).  This is the energy found in electromagnetic waves, also known as light.

Related to the movement or flow of electrons which carry a charge

Related to the motion of atoms or molecules in a substance

Related to the potential energy stored in bonds between particles in the nucleus of an atom

Involves the attraction between two objects based on their mass. It can serve as a basis for the mechanical energy of an object placed on a shelf or the kinetic energy of the Moon in orbit around the Earth.

The energy of an object’s position.

The energy of motion of a body. It ranges from zero to a positive value.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed - only converted from one form of energy to another.