Final answer:
Energy is the capacity to do work, such as when inflating a bicycle tire against air pressure. It is measured in joules and encompasses various forms like kinetic and potential energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Energy can be described as the capacity to do work or supply heat. In physics, work is a well-defined concept – it is the result of a force causing a displacement. For instance, when you inflate a bicycle tire, work is done as you apply force to move air against the resistance of the air pressure already in the tire.
Energy is measurable in joules (J), which can be visualized through the work done by raising a small object (like an apple) weighing approximately 98 grams to a height of one meter. Whether we're talking about potential energy (stored energy), kinetic energy (the energy of motion), or other forms of energy, the foundational idea is their capacity to perform work.
To answer your question directly, energy is c) The capacity to do work. It encompasses various forms, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical energy – each with the potential to exert force and cause displacement.