Can energy only be transferred if there is motion.

[Berney123]

For example if I punch an object and it doesn't move, am I giving it energy, if so after doing that billions of times wouldn't it gain mass because e=mc2.

 

[mfb]

For example if I punch an object and it doesn't move, am I giving it energy

You are not. The Earth (or whatever prevents the object from moving) pushes against the object in the opposite direction, and the energy gained by the object is 0. If you take deformations into account, you could heat it a tiny bit, but that is not related to the motion of the whole object.

 

[Boy@n]

For example if I punch an object and it doesn't move, am I giving it energy, if so after doing that billions of times wouldn't it gain mass because e=mc2.

Depends I guess. If you are hammering iron to make a sword you transfer quite a lot of energy into unmovable object.

 

[FireStorm000]

Kinetic energy is directly tied to motion, so in that sense, no. However, there are many other types of energy, such as the deformation that has already been alluded to. When you punch a box or you hit a sword with a hammer, however, the give the slightest amount, and in that moment apply a great deal of force, absorbing energy in the form of heat and deformation. The kinetic energy of the object as a whole doesn't change though.

 

[PJC01]

Energy can be transferred in various ways, not just through motion. In the example given, when you punch an object and it doesn't move, you are still giving it energy in the form of thermal energy. This is because the molecules of the object are vibrating and moving faster due to the impact of your punch. However, this increase in thermal energy does not necessarily result in an increase in mass according to the equation E=mc^2. This equation relates to the conversion of mass into energy and vice versa, not the transfer of energy. In order for an object to gain mass, there would need to be a significant amount of energy involved, such as in nuclear reactions. In everyday situations, the transfer of energy through motion or other means does not significantly impact an object's mass.