The Law of Conservation of Energy

In physics, the law of conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system
cannot change. it is said to be conserved over time. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed,
but can change form, for instance chemical energy can be converted to kinetic energy in the
explosion of a stick of dynamite.

Introduction
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, just
transformed from one form to another. These forms can include kinetic and potential energy as well
as light, heat and sound. Energy can also be transferred between objects. Since energy cannot be
created or destroyed, the amount of energy present in the universe is always the same. It is simply
being transformed and transferred over and over again.

FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

The First Law of Thermodynamics is a particular statement based on the principles of law of conserv
ation of energy according to which the total amount of energy in any thermodynamic system remains
constant i.e. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. None of the energy is gained or expended in
the sense it is converted from one form to another. Initially the statement of conservation of energy
was quantitatively analyzed for thermodynamic systems by J.P. Joule during the period of eighteen
forties which has led to the statement of First law of thermodynamics.
Statement of First law of thermodynamics
The transfer of heat and the performance of work may both cause the same effect in a system.
Energy which enters a system as heat may leave the system as work, or energy which enters the
system as work may leave as heat. Hence, by the law of conservation of energy, the net work done
by the system is equal to the net heat supplied to the system. The first law of thermodynamics can
therefore be stated as follows:When a system undergoes a thermodynamic cyclic process, then the
net heat supplied to the system from the surroundings is equal to the net work done by the system
on its surrounding
.Mathematically i.e.,
Q = W
Where represents the sum for a complete cycle.

The first law of thermodynamics can not be proved analytically, but experimental evidence has
repeatedly confirms its validity and since no phenomenon has been shown to contradict it, therefore
the first law is accepted as a law of nature.

Different forms of energy with examples.

1. mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is energy that results from movement or the location of an
object. Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.
Examples: An object possessing mechanical energy has both kinetic and potential
energy, although the energy of one of the forms may be equal to zero. A moving car
has kinetic energy. If you move the car up a mountain, it has kinetic and potential
energy. A book sitting on a table has potential energy.

2. thermal energy
Thermal energy or heat energy reflects the temperature difference between
two systems.
Example: A cup of hot coffee has thermal energy. You generate heat and have
thermal energy with respect to your environment.

1. nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is energy resulting from changes in the atomic nuclei or from
nuclear reactions.
Example: Nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, andnuclear decay are examples of nuclear
energy. An atomic detonation or power from a nuclear plant are specific examples of
this type of energy.

2. chemical energy
Chemical energy results from chemical reactions between atoms or molecules.
There are different types of chemical energy, such as electrochemical energy
and chemiluminescence.
Example: A good example of chemical energy is an electrochemical cell or battery.

3. electromagnetic energy
Electromagnetic energy is energy from light or electromagnetic waves.
Example: Any form of light haselectromagnetic energy, including parts of the
spectrum we can't see. Radio, gamma rays, x-rays, microwaves, and ultraviolet
light are some examples of electromagnetic energy

1. gravitational energy
Energy associated with gravity involves the attraction between two objects
based on their mass. It can serve as a basis for mechanical energy, such as
the potential energy of an object placed on a shelf or the kinetic energy of the
Moon in orbit around the Earth.