What does the law of conservation of energy state?

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This principle underpins many fundamental concepts in physics and underscores the idea that the total energy within an isolated system remains constant over time, even though energy may change forms, such as potential energy converting into kinetic energy or thermal energy dispersing during a reaction.

For example, when a roller coaster climbs to the top of a hill, its energy is primarily gravitational potential energy. As it descends, that potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is observed as the speed of the coaster increases. Despite the change in form, the total amount of energy remains constant throughout the ride.

This understanding is crucial in various fields of physics, from mechanical systems to thermodynamics, ensuring that energy calculations and predictions about system behavior are accurate. The law consistently applies across numerous scenarios, illustrating the interconnectedness of energy forms and highlighting that energy doesn't simply vanish or arise from nowhere.