Which of the following describes the principle of conservation of mechanical energy for an isolated system under conservative forces?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that the total mechanical energy, which is the sum of kinetic and potential energy, remains constant in an isolated system where only conservative forces perform work. Individual components of energy can transform into each other, as seen in a freely falling body, but the total sum does not change. Non-conservative forces like friction dissipate mechanical energy into thermal energy.