Energy

trenner · Post #1by **trenner** » 27.01.2005, 04:07

Well, I'll bury my pride and throw a question in here. I've been asking it all my life ( 56 years )

Just what IS energy ?
We measure potential difference, quantify it, label it's various forms, but I've never seen any explaination of what "it" is.

Thank you
Terry

Cham · Post #2by **Cham** » 27.01.2005, 04:58

I'm sorry, but science cannot actually give a clear answer to that metaphysical question. What "is" matter by the way ? And what is an explanation ?

In nature, all there is, is energy. Matter is just another special form of energy. But really, energy is a human invention which serves as a kind of "book keeping" of information about a system.

Bob Hegwood · Post #3by **Bob Hegwood** » 27.01.2005, 05:07

Terry,

Went through a couple of dictionary entries just to see what they had to say.
Seems that no one can really give a definitive answer for this question. My
own interpretation from what I read is that "Energy" is the potential to affect
change on a given object. In other words, energy is what imparts motion to
the rocket after its engines have been started. The rocket fuel - as it is
converted into flaming gases - is imparting its energy to the vehicle which is
being launched.

How's that for a non-descript answer? :wink:

EDIT: It occurs to me that Einstein's famous equation could be the answer
here... In other words, doesn't Energy = Mass times Velocity squared?

Take care, Bob