What is the principle of conservation of energy?

The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change from one form to another. This means that in any system, the total amount of energy remains constant, even as energy is converted from potential to kinetic energy, or from electrical energy to thermal energy, for example. This principle underlies many physical processes, ensuring that while energy may change its form, the total energy in a closed system remains the same.

In practical terms, this principle is observed in many scenarios, such as in pendulums, where gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and back again, or in electrical circuits, where electrical energy is transformed into light or heat. Understanding this concept is crucial in fields ranging from physics and engineering to everyday mechanical systems, as it helps predict how systems will behave under various conditions. This is why the option regarding transformation of energy correctly reflects the core idea of the conservation of energy principle.