Energy can be created or destroyed

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 54 views

Introduction

The law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle in physics that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. This concept is a cornerstone of modern physics and has far-reaching implications in various fields, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. In this article, we will explore the law of conservation of energy and examine which situation best demonstrates this principle.

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

The law of conservation of energy was first formulated by Julius Robert Mayer in 1842 and later independently by James Joule in 1843. It states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time, but can be converted from one form to another. This means that energy can be transformed from potential energy to kinetic energy, from thermal energy to mechanical energy, or from electrical energy to chemical energy, but the total energy remains the same.

Forms of Energy

There are several forms of energy, including:

Kinetic Energy: the energy of motion, which is associated with an object's velocity.
Potential Energy: the energy of position, which is associated with an object's height or position.
Thermal Energy: the energy of heat, which is associated with the temperature of an object.
Electrical Energy: the energy of electricity, which is associated with the flow of electric current.
Chemical Energy: the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.

Which Situation Best Demonstrates the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Let's examine the three situations presented in the discussion category:

A. The Potential Energy of a Ball Being Dropped from a Cliff Being Converted to Kinetic Energy

When a ball is dropped from a cliff, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. As the ball falls, its potential energy, which is associated with its height, is converted to kinetic energy, which is associated with its velocity. This situation demonstrates the law of conservation of energy because the total energy of the ball remains constant, but is converted from one form to another.

Example:

A ball of mass 1 kg is dropped from a height of 10 m. As it falls, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. The initial potential energy of the ball is given by:

PE = mgh

where m is the mass of the ball, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the ball.

The initial potential energy of the ball is:

PE = 1 kg x 9.8 m/s^2 x 10 m = 98 J

As the ball falls, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, which is given by:

KE = (1/2)mv^2

where v is the velocity of the ball.

The final kinetic energy of the ball is:

KE = (1/2) x 1 kg x (10 m/s)^2 = 50 J

The total energy of the ball remains constant, but is converted from potential energy to kinetic energy.

B. Ice Water Transforming into Liquid Water When It Absorbs Heat Energy

When ice water is heated, its thermal energy is increased, and it transforms into liquid water. This situation does not demonstrate the law of conservation of energy because the total energy of the system is not conserved. Instead, the thermal energy of the system is increased, and the ice water is transformed into liquid water.

Example:

A block of ice of mass 1 kg is heated from 0°C to 10°C. The heat energy absorbed by the ice is given by:

Q = mcΔT

where m is the mass of the ice, c is the specific heat capacity of water, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

The heat energy absorbed by the ice is:

Q = 1 kg x 4186 J/kg°C x (10°C - 0°C) = 41860 J

The total energy of the system is not conserved because the thermal energy of the system is increased, and the ice is transformed into liquid water.

C. Batteries

Batteries are a source of electrical energy, which can be converted to other forms of energy, such as mechanical energy or thermal energy. However, the law of conservation of energy is not directly applicable to batteries because the total energy of the system is not conserved. Instead, the electrical energy stored in the battery is converted to other forms of energy.

Example:

A battery of voltage 12 V and current 1 A is connected to a load of resistance 10 Ω. The electrical energy stored in the battery is given by:

E = VIt

where V is the voltage of the battery, I is the current, and t is the time.

The electrical energy stored in the battery is:

E = 12 V x 1 A x 1 s = 12 J

The total energy of the system is not conserved because the electrical energy stored in the battery is converted to other forms of energy, such as mechanical energy or thermal energy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the situation that best demonstrates the law of conservation of energy is the potential energy of a ball being dropped from a cliff being converted to kinetic energy. This situation demonstrates the law of conservation of energy because the total energy of the ball remains constant, but is converted from one form to another. The other two situations, ice water transforming into liquid water when it absorbs heat energy and batteries, do not demonstrate the law of conservation of energy because the total energy of the system is not conserved.

References

Mayer, J. R. (1842). "Bemerkungen über die Kräfte der unbelebten Natur" (Remarks on the forces of inanimate nature). Annalen der Physik, 49(4), 233-239.
Joule, J. P. (1843). "On the Mechanical Equivalent of Heat". Philosophical Magazine, 23(148), 263-276.
Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of Physics (10th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Law of Conservation of Energy ====================================================================

Q: What is the law of conservation of energy?

A: The law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle in physics that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Q: What are the different forms of energy?

A: There are several forms of energy, including:

Kinetic Energy: the energy of motion, which is associated with an object's velocity.
Potential Energy: the energy of position, which is associated with an object's height or position.
Thermal Energy: the energy of heat, which is associated with the temperature of an object.
Electrical Energy: the energy of electricity, which is associated with the flow of electric current.
Chemical Energy: the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.

Q: What is an example of the law of conservation of energy in action?

A: A classic example of the law of conservation of energy is a ball being dropped from a cliff. As the ball falls, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. The total energy of the ball remains constant, but is converted from one form to another.

Q: Can energy be created or destroyed?

A: No, energy cannot be created or destroyed. However, it can be converted from one form to another.

Q: What is the difference between energy and work?

A: Energy is the ability to do work, while work is the transfer of energy from one object to another. For example, when you push a box across the floor, you are doing work on the box, but the energy you are using is not being created or destroyed, it is simply being transferred from your body to the box.

Q: Can energy be transferred from one object to another?

A: Yes, energy can be transferred from one object to another through various means, such as:

Mechanical Energy: energy transferred through the motion of objects.
Thermal Energy: energy transferred through heat.
Electrical Energy: energy transferred through the flow of electric current.
Radiant Energy: energy transferred through electromagnetic waves.

Q: What is the law of conservation of energy used for?

A: The law of conservation of energy is used in a wide range of applications, including:

Mechanics: to calculate the energy of objects in motion.
Thermodynamics: to calculate the energy of systems in thermal equilibrium.
Electromagnetism: to calculate the energy of electromagnetic waves.
Nuclear Physics: to calculate the energy of nuclear reactions.

Q: Is the law of conservation of energy a fundamental principle of physics?

A: Yes, the law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle of physics, along with the laws of motion and the laws of thermodynamics.

Q: Can the law of conservation of energy be applied to all situations?

A: No, the law of conservation of energy is not applicable to all situations. For example, it is not applicable to systems that are not isolated, such as systems that are in contact with a heat reservoir or a work reservoir.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about the law of conservation of energy?

A: Some common misconceptions about the law of conservation of energy include:

Energy can be created or destroyed: this is not true, energy can only be converted from one form to another.
Energy is lost forever: this is not true, energy can be transferred from one object to another, but it is not lost forever.
The law of conservation of energy is only applicable to mechanical systems: this is not true, the law of conservation of energy is applicable to all systems, including thermal, electrical, and nuclear systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle of physics that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. It is a powerful tool for understanding the behavior of systems and is used in a wide range of applications. However, it is not applicable to all situations and there are some common misconceptions about the law of conservation of energy.