Question

which scenario would violate the law of conservation of energy? choose 1 answer: a a system interacts with its surroundings. the systems total energy stays the same. b a system interacts with its surroundings. the systems total energy decreases. c a system does not interact with its surroundings. the systems total energy stays the same. d a system does not interact with its surroundings. the systems total energy increases.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. For a system not interacting with its surroundings (an isolated system), the total energy should remain constant.

• Option A: If a system interacts with surroundings, energy can be transferred, but the system's total energy staying the same is possible (e.g., energy transfer in and out balance), so it does not violate the law.
• Option B: A system interacting with surroundings can lose energy (transferred out), so the system's total energy decreasing is allowed (conservation holds for the universe, not necessarily just the system).
• Option C: An isolated system (no interaction) having constant total energy is in line with the law.
• Option D: An isolated system (no interaction) having an increase in total energy would mean energy is created within the system, which violates the law of conservation of energy.

Answer:

D. A system does not interact with its surroundings. The system's total energy increases.