Question

When a dolphin jumps, it moves its muscles and chemical potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Some of this energy is lost to the dolphin. Explain why this phenomenon does not violate the Law of Conservation of Energy.

The dolphin is a closed system, so energy is allowed to exit the system.
The energy is transferred to waves in the surrounding water.
The muscles recapture the energy when they relax after contractions.
The Law of Conservation of Energy does not apply to biological systems.

Answer 1

The correct option is this: THE ENERGY IS TRANSFERRED TO WAVES IN THE SURROUNDING WATER.
According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroy. This law is valid in all systems including biological systems. When a dolphin jumps, some of the potential energy that are converted to kinetic energy is lost to the fish, but this lost energy is gained by the waves in the surrounding water. So, in the real sense, the energy is not lost but converted to another form.