Based on the Law of Conservation of Energy, the correct statement is:
Energy cannot be created or destroyed by ordinary chemical or physical means.
This principle states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant, though it can change forms (e.g., from potential energy to kinetic energy) but cannot be created or destroyed.
The other options are not correct according to the principles of physics:
- Potential energy is not simply equal to thermal energy plus kinetic energy; there are specific equations that describe these relationships under certain circumstances.
- Kinetic energy is not equal to potential energy minus temperature; they are different forms of energy and are related via specific conditions (like conservation of mechanical energy) but not in this manner.
- Kinetic energy is not always equal to potential energy; they can be equal in specific situations (like at the lowest point of a pendulum swing), but not universally.
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