What generally happens to energy in a closed system?

In a closed system, the principle of conservation of energy applies. This means that the total energy within the system remains constant over time, although it can change forms. For instance, energy can convert from potential to kinetic energy or from thermal energy to mechanical energy, but the overall amount of energy does not increase or decrease.

Understanding this concept is fundamental in physical science because it forms the basis for understanding various phenomena, such as energy transfers and transformations in systems, thermal dynamics, and mechanical work. The conservation of energy principle is foundational in both physics and engineering, allowing scientists and engineers to analyze and predict the behavior of systems. While energy can appear to be lost or stored in certain contexts, it is ultimately conserved within a closed system, which is the essence of this principle.