What is the ultimate source of energy for fossil fuels, hydroelectric power, and wind power?

The ultimate source of energy for fossil fuels, hydroelectric power, and wind power is the Sun. This connection can be understood by examining how each energy source is tied to solar energy.

For fossil fuels, these resources are primarily formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Over millions of years, through processes involving heat and pressure, organic matter that originally obtained its energy through photosynthesis (a process powered by sunlight) transforms into coal, oil, and natural gas. Hence, the energy stored in fossil fuels can be traced back to the energy initially captured from the Sun.

Hydroelectric power relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the Sun's energy. Solar energy causes evaporation of water from bodies of water, resulting in clouds and precipitation. When this rainwater flows into rivers and is harnessed by dams to generate electricity, it is indirectly utilizing the energy that originated from the Sun.

Wind power is also ultimately derived from solar energy. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun. Areas that are heated more intensely will create differences in air pressure, causing air to move from regions of high pressure to low pressure, which we experience as wind. This movement of air can then be captured by wind turbines to produce