Energy conservation and energy transformations – basic principles
How it works
The law of conservation of energy states that energy in a closed system can neither be created nor destroyed, but can only be converted from one form into another. Important forms of energy are, for example, mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal energy. Energy transformations occur in many everyday processes, for example when operating an engine (chemical energy into mechanical energy) or when braking a bicycle (kinetic energy into thermal energy). The total energy always remains conserved, even if it is not always fully usable (for example due to heat losses).
In a closed system, the total energy remains constant; energy can only be transformed, but not destroyed or created.
An example
Which energy transformation occurs when a filament lamp is switched on?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.