What does the law of conservation of energy state?

The law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle in physics that states energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This means that the total energy in a closed system remains constant over time. For instance, when you rub your hands together, mechanical energy from the motion of your hands is converted into thermal energy, which generates heat.

This principle is crucial for understanding various processes in physical science, engineering, and even everyday phenomena. For example, in a roller coaster, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the car descends, and when it climbs, kinetic energy is transformed back into potential energy.

Understanding this law is essential because it helps explain why energy transformations occur and underscores the interconnectedness of different forms of energy, such as potential, kinetic, thermal, chemical, and electrical energy.