The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
In the context of the given components—chemical energy, electrical energy, light energy, and thermal energy—the law implies that the total energy within a system remains constant as it undergoes various transformations.
Let's consider an example involving a common household scenario: a flashlight.
Chemical Energy: The flashlight typically contains batteries that store chemical energy. This chemical energy is a result of the chemical reactions occurring within the batteries.
Electrical Energy: When you turn on the flashlight, the chemical energy in the batteries is converted into electrical energy. This occurs as electrons flow through the circuit, facilitated by the chemical reactions in the battery.
Light Energy: The electrical energy is then transformed into light energy when it passes through the bulb or LED of the flashlight. This light energy is what allows you to see in the dark.
Thermal Energy: During these energy transformations, some energy is inevitably lost in the form of heat. The electrical components, such as the wires and the bulb, heat up due to resistance, leading to the generation of thermal energy.