eli5 if we get energy from the food we eat does this mean the food (matter) is converted into energy ? .

Question

I thought matter to energy conversion are only possible in nuclear reactors. Also if you’re fat and exercise to lose weight does this mean you have converted your matter into energy?

In: 0

Answer 1

In food, the energy stored in one form of molecules got released by converting the molecules by breaking it down into other molecules. That is, the energy released is stored in the bonds of atoms.

In Nuclear reaction, the energy released is stored in the binding energy that hold the nucleus(proton+neutron core). Thus the name nuclear, from nucleus. Not exactly correct, but an easy way to visualize where the energy is. Food from bond between atom, nuclear from the core of an atom.

Edit: and yeah all these energy is stored/detected as mass.