What are the three types of energy?

More than three types of energy exist, but a few examples of energy types include mechanical, heat and electrical energy. These describe the energy of motion that does work, the energy of being pushed into motion by heat and the energy when electricity creates motion, light and heat.

One example of mechanical energy is wind turning a windmill. Heat energy is illustrated by watching fire generate warmth. Electrical energy is seen in many electrical appliances. Additional energy types include chemical and gravitational, which are the energies from chemical reactions and from gravity, respectively. The major forms of energy are kinetic and potential, which describe energy at work and energy that is stored.