Conservation of Energy

Definition

Conservation of energy is a fundamental principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another. In other words, the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant over time.

Analogy

Think of energy as money in your bank account. You can spend money on different things (transform), but you can't create more money out of thin air (create) or make money disappear (destroy). The total amount of money you have remains constant unless someone adds or takes away from it (transfer).

Related terms

Kinetic Energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Potential Energy: The stored energy an object has based on its position or condition.

Work-Energy Principle: States that work done on an object is equal to its change in kinetic energy.