Energy can be transferred and transformed but never created or destroyed from "summary" of The World of Physics 2nd Edition by John Avison
The fundamental principle of energy conservation states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. This means that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant over time. Energy can change from one form to another, such as potential energy to kinetic energy, but the total amount of energy in the system remains the same. For example, when a ball is thrown into the air, it possesses kinetic energy due to its motion and potential energy due to its height. As the ball rises, its kinetic energy decreases while its potential energy increases. At the highest point of its trajectory, all of its initial kinetic energy has been converted into potential energy. As the ball falls back to the ground, its potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy. This principle of energy conservation applies to all forms of energy, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, and nuclear energy. In any energy transformation, the total amount of energy before and after the transformation remains constant. This is known as the conservation of energy. The concept of energy conservation has far-reaching implications in physics and engineering. It allows scientists and engineers to predict the behavior of systems based on the principles of energy transfer and transformation. By understanding how energy is conserved in different systems, we can design more efficient machines, develop renewable energy sources, and solve complex technological challenges.- The principle that energy can be transferred and transformed but never created or destroyed is a fundamental law of nature. It governs the behavior of all systems in the universe and plays a crucial role in our understanding of the physical world. By applying the principles of energy conservation, we can unlock new possibilities for innovation and progress in science and technology.
