Final answer:
Energy, defined as the ability to do work, can be transformed but not created or destroyed, adhering to the law of conservation of energy. It exists in various forms like chemical, electrical, and radiant energy, and originates from sources classified as renewable or non-renewable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Energy is a fundamental concept in physics, often defined as the ability to do work. It comes from various sources and can be transformed but never created or destroyed, a principle known as the law of conservation of energy. In biological organisms, chemical energy is derived from food, which contains organic molecules with energy stored in chemical bonds.
There are many forms of energy, including electrical, chemical, radiant (like solar energy), thermal, kinetic, and potential energies. These forms can be converted into one another; for instance, electrical energy can be transformed into light or mechanical work. Energy sources are categorized as renewable or non-renewable, with renewable energy being replenished within human lifetimes, like solar and wind energy, and non-renewable energy sources, like fossil fuels and nuclear energy, taking much longer.
Energy sources influence the environment and are unequally distributed across the globe. It's crucial to understand these distinctions and how energy is transferred and transformed to address various challenges, such as energy sustainability and climate change.