Question

Which statement best describes the law of conservation of energy?

A: It is a law of nature that operated the same in the past as it will in the future

B: It is a testable question about nature that scientists use to start investigations

C: It explains the natural phenomenon of how energy moves through systems

D: It makes predictions about the way in which energy will move from one system to another

(APEX)

Answer 1

The Law of Conservation of Energy is best described as explaining the natural phenomenon of how energy moves through systems. It underscores the principle that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant, meaning energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only transform.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Energy is a fundamental concept in Physics. The best description in the provided options is statement C: 'It explains the natural phenomenon of how energy moves through systems'. This law states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant—it is said to be conserved over time.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it transforms from one form to another. For example, the chemical energy stored in a battery can be converted into electrical energy to power a remote control, which emits light energy through its LED display.

This principle is not designed to test or predict the future, as suggested in options B and D. Neither does it necessarily operate the same way in the past and the future, as stated in option A, since energy conversions are dependent on certain conditions.

Learn more about Law of Conservation of Energy