Energy is a concept that has eluded an unequivocal definition in physics. Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate in physics, underscored this fact in The Feynman Lectures on Physics, noting that, “*It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge of what energy is.” [@RichardP.Feynman1963]

Nevertheless, the word "energy" is used so casually today in both specialized and everyday contexts that it becomes virtually inescapable, there is hardly a day when we do not encounter this word. We see discussions about renewable energy, national energy policy, energy security strategies, as well as products like energy drinks, energy bars, and even energy supplements that promise a quick boost of vitality. People often express feeling energized, and those with spiritual inclinations might even assert, "I feel your energy". Does this widespread usage imply that we truly understand the profound concept of energy, which ostensibly governs everything around us, to the extent that its frequent apparence is justified? On the contrary, this pervasive use more likely underscores our incomplete comprehension of what energy truly, leading to the prevalence of numerous interpretations without scientific rigor and simple misunderstanding.

Before delving into this complexity further, it is instructive to first examine standard definitions. According to The Britannica Dictionary, energy is “the ability of something (such as heat, light, or running water) to be active or do work.” [@TheBritannicaDictionary2024], thereby framing energy in terms of the capacity to perform work. Yet, in physics, work is itself defined as the process by which energy is transferred from one system to another via a force along a displacement [@Wikipediacontributors]. At first glance, these interlocking definitions may appear to just go around in a circles, promoting deeper reflection on more precise formulations in scientific discourse.

Bibliography

[1] Richard P. Feynman, Robert B. Leighton, and Matthew Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, vol. 1. Basic Books, 1963.

[2] The Britannica Dictionary, “Energy,” The Britannica Dictionary. 2024. Accessed: Sep. 03, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/energy

[3] Wikipedia contributors, “Work (Physics),” Wikipedia. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_(physics)#:~:text=In%20science%2C%20work%20is%20the,strength%20and%20the%20distance%20traveled.