Final answer:
Energy is defined as the ability to do work or produce heat, which is a core principle in physics. It can be transferred through actions like inflating a bicycle tire and is measured in joules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Energy is the capacity to do work or to produce heat. This is a fundamental concept in physics that illustrates how energy can be transferred or transformed. One example of doing work is when we inflate a bicycle tire, which involves moving air into the tire against the force of the air already inside it. Energy allows us to perform various activities and is essential in our daily lives. The standard unit of energy measurement is the joule (J), which is equivalent to the amount of work done when a one-newton force is applied over a distance of one meter.