Final answer:
A change from one form of energy to another is called a transformation of energy. This process adheres to the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can change form. Examples of energy transformation include metabolism in the human body and the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy in power plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
A change from one form of energy to another is called a transformation of energy. This fundamental concept is a cornerstone in the study of physics and is pivotal to understanding how energy operates within physical systems. For example, the chemical energy in food is transformed into thermal energy when our bodies metabolize it, or a plant's photosynthesis turns light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. According to the law of conservation of energy, which is a principle that reflects the first law of thermodynamics, energy can neither be created nor destroyed during these transformations. Although energy can change in form, the total energy in a closed system remains constant. This means that all of the energy present before a transformation occurs still exists in some form after the change is completed. For example, a gas stove transforms the chemical energy from natural gas into heat energy used for cooking. Similarly, when coal burns in a power plant, it converts chemical energy into thermal energy that is used to produce steam, which then drives turbines to generate electrical energy. These energy transformations are integral to many processes in our daily lives, as well as in the broader environment.