Real-Life Examples of Conservation of Energy

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 💡 Conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant. It can transform into different forms but cannot be created or destroyed.
• 🍎 The formula representing conservation of energy is: $E_{total} = E_1 + E_2 + E_3 + ... = constant$
• ⚙️ Common forms of energy include kinetic energy (energy of motion), potential energy (stored energy), thermal energy (heat), and chemical energy.
• 🎢 In a closed system, the decrease in one form of energy is equal to the increase in another form. For example, potential energy can convert into kinetic energy and vice versa.
• 🧪 Examples include a pendulum swinging (potential to kinetic), a burning log (chemical to thermal), and a hydroelectric dam (potential to electrical).

🤔 Practice Quiz

1. What happens to the total energy in an isolated system according to the law of conservation of energy?
   1. It increases over time.
   2. It decreases over time.
   3. It remains constant.
   4. It fluctuates randomly.
2. A ball is dropped from a height. As it falls, what energy transformation primarily occurs?
   1. Kinetic energy to potential energy
   2. Potential energy to kinetic energy
   3. Thermal energy to potential energy
   4. Chemical energy to kinetic energy
3. In a hydroelectric dam, what type of energy is converted into electrical energy?
   1. Chemical energy
   2. Kinetic energy
   3. Potential energy
   4. Thermal energy
4. When a log burns in a fireplace, what energy transformation is most evident?
   1. Electrical to thermal
   2. Chemical to kinetic
   3. Chemical to thermal
   4. Kinetic to electrical
5. A pendulum swings back and forth. At which point is its potential energy the highest?
   1. At the bottom of the swing
   2. In the middle of the swing
   3. At the highest point of the swing
   4. Potential energy remains constant throughout the swing
6. A car brakes and comes to a stop. What happens to its kinetic energy?
   1. It is destroyed.
   2. It is converted into potential energy.
   3. It is converted into thermal energy due to friction.
   4. It is converted back into chemical energy.
7. When an electric motor operates, it converts electrical energy into what primary form of energy?
   1. Chemical energy
   2. Thermal energy
   3. Kinetic energy
   4. Potential energy