Matter and energy are closely related and are essentially interchangeable. According to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2, matter can be converted into energy and vice versa. This means that matter and energy are essentially two different forms of the same thing.
This is a debated topic among scientists, but many believe that energy came first. The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began as a singularity of pure energy, which then expanded and cooled to form matter. However, it is also possible that matter and energy have always existed in a cyclical or eternal state.
According to the law of conservation of mass, matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed into different forms. This means that the total amount of matter in the universe remains constant. However, matter can be converted into energy and vice versa, as seen in nuclear reactions.
Energy is stored in matter through the particles that make up atoms. These particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons, contain energy in the form of mass and motion. The amount of energy stored in a particular type of matter depends on the mass and velocity of its particles.
Some common examples of matter and energy interconversion include nuclear reactions, such as the conversion of uranium atoms into other elements and the release of energy in the process. Another example is the conversion of food into energy in our bodies through cellular respiration. Additionally, the conversion of light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis is another example of matter and energy interconversion.