Energy explained

What is energy?  

Energy makes things happen.  We use energy to move and keep warm.  We use energy to light our homes and to make sounds. 

An energy resource is something that can be used to provide energy.  Water is an energy resource.  It can be used to turn waterwheels or turbines.  Wind is an energy resource. It can be used to make sailing boats move and to make wind turbines work.

Wood, peat and coal are energy resources which can be used in a fire to make us warm.  Oil and gas are energy resources.  These can be used in the central heating boilers which heat our homes and schools.  Oil and gas can also be used to give us light.

Food is an energy resource which gives us energy to walk, run, skip, eat and pump blood around our bodies.

The sun is our greatest energy resource.  All of our energy comes from the sun.  It shines on us and keeps us warm, it shines on solar panels which produces electricity.  It shines on trees and the leaves use the sun’s energy to make the trees grow.  We cut down trees for wood.  The sun shone on trees and other plants millions of years ago.  These died and decayed into peat, coal, oil and gas.  It shines on crops and grass which are food for humans and animals.  Hot air rises, causing air to move in the form of wind.

Next: Renewable and non renewable energy