What happens to energy when it is transformed from one form to another?

When energy is transformed from one form to another, such as from kinetic energy to potential energy or from electrical energy to thermal energy, the total amount of energy remains constant. This principle is defined by the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. Therefore, even though the energy may change its form, the total quantity of energy in the system does not change.

This concept is fundamental in various fields, including physics, engineering, and environmental science, as it helps us understand how energy systems operate and how energy can be efficiently transformed and utilized. For instance, in a hydroelectric dam, gravitational potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as water flows down, which then gets converted to mechanical energy to generate electricity. Throughout these transformations, the total energy present in the system remains unchanged.