Is Energy all around us

Answer 1

Yes. Without energy, all of the matter in the universe would exist at absolute zero, and be completely motionless. This state is of course impossible if you don't remove gravity, as it generates a force between all matter in any quantity whatsoever. (If you and another person were in deep space, you would generate a very small gravitational attraction to each other.)

Also, matter can be converted into a very large amount of energy by nuclear fission or fusion. Fusion is the power source of stars.

Any matter above the temperature of absolute zero contains kinetic energy: the motion of its molecules. The higher the temperature, the more energy is contained. Devices called heat pumps can capture heat energy from the air or ground, or transfer heat to them to generate cooling.

Chemical compounds also contain heat that can be released in several ways. This energy was stored in their molecular bonds. Living things, especially, obtain energy from breaking down molecules which were formed using the energy of light (sunlight) or heat.

So you have four types of energy that exist everywhere there is matter: the force of gravity, atomic energy, molecular heat, and chemical bonds.

Most of the energy here on Earth comes from the Sun's radiated energy: it is stored as chemical energy in compounds and plants, and drives the air and water cycles that provide wind and hydro power. (There is also direct solar power.) Two sources of energy do not come from the Sun: geothermal energy taps the internal heat of the Earth, and tidal power is generated by the interaction of the Earth and Moon.

*One energy source that seems unlikely ever to be used is the vast flow of neutrinos given off by the Sun as a product of nuclear fusion. They are incredibly small but moving at tremendous speeds, and rarely interact with matter. Every second, many billions of them travel through every part of the solar system.