Which of the following fundamental principles dictates that total mechanical energy remains conserved within an isolated system if only conservative forces are performing work?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The conservation of mechanical energy states that the sum of kinetic and potential energy in an isolated system remains constant when only conservative forces such as gravity or electrostatic forces act upon the bodies. Non-conservative forces like friction dissipate mechanical energy into thermal energy. Gravitational potential energy converted into kinetic energy during free fall exemplifies this exact principle.