What term describes the ability of an object to move something or be moved?

Prepare for the DIVE Integrated Chemistry and Physics Quarterly Exam 3. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations to guide your learning. Excel in your exam!

The term that best describes the ability of an object to move something or be moved is energy. Energy is a fundamental concept in physics that refers to the capacity to do work or cause motion. It comes in various forms, such as kinetic energy (the energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy based on an object's position).

When discussing how energy allows objects to move or to do work on other objects, the interactions led by energy become evident. For instance, a moving object has kinetic energy, which can be transferred to another object when they collide, causing that object to move. Similarly, potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy when an object is released from a height, again illustrating how energy enables movement.

In contrast, while force is the push or pull on an object, it does not solely embody the concept of moving something or being moved; it is the interaction that causes movement. Work is the result of applying a force over a distance, and power relates to the rate at which work is done. Therefore, of all the options provided, energy most comprehensively describes the capability to move or be in motion.

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