Final answer:
The total amount of energy in the universe remains constant according to the law of conservation of energy. Thus, the correct answer to the question is a) Cannot change, as energy can be converted but not created or destroyed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the law of conservation of energy, which is a fundamental concept in physics. This law states that the total amount of energy in the universe remains constant. Therefore, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but only transformed from one form to another. Given this principle, the total energy of the universe, which includes not only various forms of kinetic and potential energy but also the rest energy encapsulated within matter, cannot change.
According to this law, the correct answer to the question "The total amount of energy (including the rest energy of matter) in the universe:" is a) Cannot change. Energy can be converted, for instance, from chemical energy to thermal energy, or from kinetic energy to potential energy, but the overall energy balance of the universe is not altered by such processes.