The law of Conservation of Energy states what fundamental principle?

The law of Conservation of Energy is a fundamental principle in physics that asserts that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. Instead, energy can only be transformed from one form to another. This means that the total energy within a closed system remains constant, even though it may change forms, such as from kinetic energy to potential energy or from thermal energy to mechanical energy.

For example, when a pendulum swings, its energy continually shifts between kinetic energy (when it moves fastest at the lowest point) and potential energy (when it reaches its highest points), yet the total energy remains unchanged. This principle is crucial in various fields, including engineering, environmental science, and thermodynamics, as it helps in understanding how energy systems operate and interact.

The other options suggest misconceptions about energy. The idea that energy can be created and destroyed contradicts the fundamental principle of the conservation of energy. Saying energy is only created by chemical reactions ignores other processes, such as nuclear reactions or physical transformations. Finally, the notion that energy cannot be transferred is incorrect, as energy transfer is a key concept in understanding how energy interacts with matter and systems. Thus, the correct interpretation of the law of conservation of energy is that energy can be transformed but not created nor