1The Invisible Glue of the Universe
Imagine that everything in the world—from your favorite LEGO bricks to the air you breathe—is held together by tiny, invisible rubber bands. In the world of science, these "rubber bands" are actually called chemical bonds! They are the links that hold atoms and molecules together. Chemical energy is the special power stored inside these bonds. This is a form of potential energy, which means it is energy waiting to happen. Whether it is a piece of crunchy broccoli or a tank of gasoline, that energy stays hidden until a chemical reaction happens to break those bonds and release the power inside.
2Nature’s Solar Batteries and Rocket Science
Nature is the ultimate energy master. Through a process called photosynthesis, plants act like biological solar panels. They catch sunlight from 93 million miles away and use it to zip atoms together into sugar molecules. When you eat a piece of fruit, you are literally eating stored sun-power! This same type of chemical energy is what allows giant rockets to leave Earth. Rocket fuel is packed with high-energy bonds that, when ignited, break apart so violently they create enough thrust to lift a 4-million-pound space shuttle into the stars. It takes a massive amount of hidden fuel power to overcome gravity and reach outer space!
3Your Body: The Amazing Energy Factory
Your body is more sophisticated than the fastest racing car. Every time you take a bite of a sandwich, your digestive system begins "unlocking" the chemical energy inside. It isn't just for running or jumping, either. Your body uses this fuel to keep your heart beating about 100,000 times every single day and to help your brain send lightning-fast electrical signals so you can think and learn. Interestingly, a single gram of fat contains more than twice the chemical energy of a gram of sugar! Even while you are fast asleep, your internal chemical factory is hard at work using this stored fuel to keep you growing, breathing, and dreaming.
