Final answer:
Energy can exist in two broad states: potential energy, which is stored due to position, composition, or condition, and kinetic energy, which is energy due to motion. The conversion and transfer of energy from potential to kinetic, and vice versa, are common physical processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In broad terms, energy can exist in two states: potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is the energy that is stored within an object due to its position, condition, or composition. For example, chemical potential energy is stored within the chemical bonds of a substance. On the other hand, kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion.
An object that is moving, whether it's a car rushing down the road or water flowing over a dam, has kinetic energy. The transformation between these two states is fundamental to the operation of the universe; as energy can be transferred from one system to another and converted from one type to another.
When we think about scenarios such as a brick on a windowsill, it possesses potential energy due to its height above the ground. If the brick were to fall, its potential energy would convert into kinetic energy until it impacts the ground. A similar concept applies in biological systems, where chemical potential energy in food can be converted into the kinetic energy needed for movement.