conservation of energy

noun, Physics.

the principle that in a system that does not undergo any force from outside the system, the amount of energy is constant, irrespective of its changes in form.

Also called law of conservation of energy.

Origin

1850-55

Examples from the web for conservation of energy

She wondered whether the emitted rays were violating a basic law of thermodynamics: the conservation of energy.
It suggests that the universe is an infinitely large, isolated system, in regards to conservation of energy.
The first law of thermodynamics does indeed guarantee conservation of energy.
There is no magic in that: it conforms with the principle of the conservation of energy and of matter.
Forgetting the law of conservation of energy is no small oversight.
Forgetting the law of conservation of energy is no small oversight.
My toy model is to use a measurable physical characteristic, say conservation of energy, and test for the prediction of monism.
Creates income tax credits designed to promote the use of renewable energy and the conservation of energy.
To scientists, conservation of energy is something entirely different.
The laws of conservation of energy and momentum provide a way to predict and describe the movement of objects.

British Dictionary definitions for conservation of energy

conservation of energy

noun

the principle that the total energy of any isolated system is constant and independent of any changes occurring within the system

Word Origin and History for conservation of energy

apparently coined in French by Leibnitz in 1692; attested in English from early 18c. as conservatio virum vivarum or partially nativized versions of it. The exact phrase is attested from 1853.

conservation of energy in Science

conservation of energy
A principle stating that the total energy of a closed system remains constant over time, regardless of other possible changes within the system. It is related to the symmetry of time invariance. See also invariance, thermodynamics.