If energy can't be created or destroyed, then where did energy come from?

Thread starter saln1
Start date Jul 30, 2010
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Energy

In summary, the concept of energy has been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the 19th century that it was formally defined and studied. Scientists discovered that energy cannot be created or destroyed through experiments and the principle of conservation of energy. However, energy sources can still run out as they can be converted from one form to another and are finite resources. The conservation of energy applies to all types of energy and the entire universe.

Jul 30, 2010

saln1

I'm guessing the answer will end up being it was always there, or the laws of physics were different at the time of the big bang, but I'd just like some clarification.

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Jul 30, 2010

pallidin

Yeah, I'm not sure anyone really knows. Probably some good competing theories out there though.

1. Where did the concept of energy come from?

The concept of energy has been around for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Egyptians. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that energy was formally defined and studied as a scientific concept.

2. How did scientists discover that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

The principle of conservation of energy was first proposed by German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz in the mid-19th century. It was later experimentally confirmed by various scientists through experiments such as the Joule's law of thermodynamics and the law of conservation of energy in chemical reactions.

3. If energy cannot be created or destroyed, then how is it possible for energy sources to run out?

While energy itself cannot be created or destroyed, it can be converted from one form to another. For example, fossil fuels are a finite source of energy because they are converted into usable energy through combustion, which cannot be reversed. Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be replenished.

4. Does the conservation of energy apply to all types of energy?

Yes, the principle of conservation of energy applies to all forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical energy. This means that no matter how energy is transferred or transformed, the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant.

5. Does the conservation of energy apply to the entire universe?

Yes, the conservation of energy is a fundamental law of physics that applies to all systems, including the entire universe. This means that the total amount of energy in the universe is constant, and it cannot be created or destroyed.