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

No, you don’t convert all the food into energy, but the chemical bonds between the atoms in the food. The same thing happens when you burn something – you break the chemical bonds between its atoms and combine them with oxygen, releasing energy in the process.