Conservation of Energy

Abstract

In many questions we assume that we are dealing with an isolated system. • An isolated system simply means a situation where nothing, not even energy, can enter or leave. Whatever you started with you finish with. ◦ Since isolated systems can't lose or gain energy, we have to be careful that nonconservative forces (such as friction) do not happen. ◦ Also, if work is done on or by the system it will change the energy of the system. In that case it can not be an isolated system