What principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

The principle that states energy cannot be created or destroyed is known as the Conservation of Energy. This fundamental concept in physics asserts that the total energy in a closed system remains constant over time, although it can change forms—such as from kinetic energy to potential energy or from mechanical energy to thermal energy. The law emphasizes that energy can only be transformed from one type to another, but the overall amount stays the same.

Understanding this principle is crucial in various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, and environmental science, as it lays the groundwork for analyzing energy changes in systems and understanding various processes, from the functioning of engines to ecological energy flows. The options related to energy transfer and types of energy (potential and kinetic) do not capture this overarching concept of energy conservation. Instead, they describe specific phenomena or types of energy rather than a fundamental law governing their behavior.