Conservation of Energy

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Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

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Energy

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The ability to do work or cause change; a quantifiable characteristic of a system that is transferred between objects.

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Example: This diagram shows a generator converting mechanical energy (rotation) into electrical energy to power a light bulb, illustrating that energy changes form but is conserved.

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Work Noun

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[wurk]

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Work

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The transfer of energy into or out of a system, resulting in a change in the system's total energy.

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Example: A person does work by applying a force (pushing) to an object, causing it to move in the direction of the force.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy an object possesses due to its motion, which is dependent on its mass and velocity.

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Example: This image shows an archer releasing an arrow. The energy stored in the drawn bow (potential energy) is converted into the energy of the moving arrow (kinetic energy).

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Potential Energy Noun

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[po-ten-shul en-er-jee]

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Potential Energy

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Stored energy an object has due to its position, state, or internal structure, ready to be converted or used.

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Example: This image shows that a truck's stored potential energy increases with greater height and more mass, demonstrating the key factors of gravitational potential energy.

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Law of Conservation of Energy Noun

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[law uv kon-ser-vay-shun uv en-er-jee]

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Law of Conservation of Energy

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The fundamental principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

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Example: A pendulum swings, transforming its energy from maximum potential energy at the highest points to maximum kinetic energy at the lowest point, demonstrating conservation.

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Conservation (in Physics) Noun

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[kon-ser-vay-shun]

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Conservation (in Physics)

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A principle stating a specific quantifiable property of a physical system does not change as the system evolves over time.

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Example: A swinging pendulum shows energy conservation: potential energy (stored energy) is highest at the peaks, while kinetic energy (energy of motion) is highest at the bottom.

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System (in Physics) Noun

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[sis-tem]

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System (in Physics)

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A specific portion of the universe that has been chosen for analysis, separated from its surroundings by a boundary.

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Example: In physics, a system is the specific object or group of objects being studied, separated from everything else (the surroundings) by a boundary.

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Open System Noun

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[oh-pen sis-tem]

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Open System

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A system that can freely exchange both energy and matter with its external surroundings across its defined boundary.

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Example: A beaker of boiling water is an open system because it exchanges energy (heat from the flame) and matter (escaping steam) with its surroundings.

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Closed System Noun

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[klohzd sis-tem]

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Closed System

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A system that can exchange energy in the form of heat or work, but not matter, with its surroundings.

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Example: A vacuum flask is a closed system because its stopper prevents matter from entering or leaving, while its vacuum and silvered walls minimize energy transfer.

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Isolated System Noun

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[eye-so-lay-ted sis-tem]

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Isolated System

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A system that does not exchange any energy or matter with its surroundings, keeping its total energy constant.

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Example: A thermos flask is an isolated system because its parts, like the vacuum and silvered surfaces, prevent heat energy from entering or leaving.