Question

Which best describes the first law of thermodynamics?

• A. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can change into matter
• B. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can change from one energy form to another
  
• C. Some useful energy is lost as heat whenever an energy transfer occurs
• D. Energy transfers are 100% efficient in changing energy from one useful form to another

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can change from one energy form to another

The explanation for the correct option:

1. Option (B): Energy can be transformed into several forms, but it can't be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe does not change; it simply takes on different forms

The explanation for the incorrect options:

1. Option A: First law of thermodynamics state that, The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe does not change; it simply takes on different forms.
2. Option C: The second law of thermodynamics asserts that whenever energy is changed, heat is released, resulting in a loss of energy.
3. Option D: The second law explains why no energy transmission can ever be $100\%$ efficient. Ecological efficiency, or the quantity of energy transported from one trophic level to the next, varies between $5and30\%.$

Hence option B is correct.