Question

Is only energy conserved within stars?

Answer 1

Energy conservation is a fundamental principle of physics that applies universally, not just within stars. In the context of stars, energy conservation is particularly important because it governs the processes that occur during nuclear fusion, which powers stars.

In a star, gravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy, which then fuels nuclear fusion in the core. The energy produced by fusion provides an outward pressure that balances the gravitational forces pulling inward, allowing the star to maintain its stability over billions of years.

However, energy conservation applies to all systems, not just stars. Whether in chemical reactions, mechanical systems, electrical circuits, or more complex physical processes, the total energy in an isolated system remains constant, even as it may change forms—from kinetic to potential to thermal energy, or from mass to energy according to Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\).

In summary, while energy conservation is crucial for understanding the dynamics of stars, it is a universal principle that applies to all physical phenomena throughout the universe.