What is the principle of conservation of energy?

The principle of conservation of energy states that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant over time. This means that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms within that system. In other words, the energy before any transformation or process will be equal to the energy after. For example, if energy is converted from kinetic to potential energy, the total energy remains unchanged, demonstrating the concept that energy is conserved in an isolated system.

This principle is foundational in various branches of physics and engineering, emphasizing that the energy you start with in a closed system will always equal the energy you end up with after all processes are considered, regardless of the transformations that may occur. Understanding this principle is crucial for analyzing systems in mechanics, thermodynamics, and other engineering disciplines.