Final answer:
Carbohydrates provide immediate energy, while lipids are more energy-dense and provide long-term energy storage. Lipids are stored efficiently in the body, making them ideal for sustained energy requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the energy provided by lipids and carbohydrates is that carbohydrates provide quick energy, while lipids provide long-term energy. Carbohydrates such as glucose are broken down to supply energy in the form of ATP for immediate use by the body's cells. On the other hand, lipids, which include fats and oils, contain more than twice the caloric content of carbohydrates, providing about 9 kcal of energy per gram compared to 4 kcal/g from carbohydrates. Therefore, lipids are more suited for long-term energy storage, as they are more space-efficient when stored in the body compared to carbohydrates. For example, animals that hibernate rely on fat stores for their energy needs during long periods without food intake.