Question

which statement regarding the total energy is true?
the amount of total energy can decrease due to kinetic energy being converted to heat.
total energy is only equal to kinetic plus potential energy.
total energy can increase due to kinetic energy being converted to heat.
total energy remains constant when kinetic energy is being converted to heat.

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. When kinetic energy is converted to heat (a form of thermal energy), the total energy of the system remains constant. The first option is wrong as total energy doesn't decrease; the second is wrong as total energy can include other forms too; the third is wrong as total energy doesn't increase.

Answer:

D. Total energy remains constant when kinetic energy is being converted to heat.