Physics
Answer
Force is different from energy in the following ways :
| Feature | Force | Energy | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A push or pull on an object | The ability/capacity to do work or cause change | Pushing a swing (force) vs. food/battery storing energy |
| When it exists | Only while the push/pull is happening | Can be stored and used later | No push → no force; a charged battery still has energy |
| What it does | Changes an object’s motion or shape when applied | Can make things happen: move objects, heat, light, sound, etc. | Squeezing a sponge (force) vs. a torch lighting up (energy) |
| Where it “lives” | It’s an interaction between objects | It’s a property of objects or systems | Hands pushing a box vs. fuel in a car |
| Unit | Newton (N) | Joule (J) | A 10 N push; a battery of 1000 J |
