Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This fundamental principle of physics is crucial in understanding the behavior of energy in various systems.

Explanation

- Energy is always conserved in a closed system, meaning that the total amount of energy remains constant over time.
- When energy is converted from one form to another, the total energy before and after the conversion remains the same.
- This law applies to all forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, and electromagnetic energy.
- For example, when a ball is thrown into the air, its initial kinetic energy is converted into potential energy as it reaches its highest point, but the total energy of the system remains constant.

Proof

- The law of conservation of energy is supported by numerous experiments and observations in physics.
- One famous example is the conservation of mechanical energy in a pendulum. As the pendulum swings back and forth, the total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) remains constant.
- Another example is the conservation of energy in a closed system such as a roller coaster. The initial potential energy at the top of the hill is converted into kinetic energy as the coaster moves downhill, but the total energy remains constant.

In conclusion, the law of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle in physics that has been proven through countless experiments and observations. It serves as a cornerstone in understanding the behavior of energy in various systems and is essential for solving problems in physics and engineering.

Law of conservation of energystates that the energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another. Let us now prove that the above law holds good in the case of a freely falling body. Let a body of mass 'm' placed at a height 'h' above the ground, start falling down from rest.