What is the law of conservation of energy in relation to electrical circuits?

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In the context of electrical circuits, this principle indicates that the total energy supplied by a source, such as a battery or generator, remains constant. While energy may be converted from electrical energy to other forms, like mechanical energy in a motor or thermal energy in a resistor, the overall amount of energy in the system is conserved.

This understanding is crucial for designing and analyzing electrical circuits, as it ensures that all energy must be accounted for. For instance, when electrical energy flows through a circuit, it may be used to power devices or may dissipate as heat, but no energy is lost from the system—only its form changes. This principle underpins many concepts in electronics and helps engineers optimize circuit performance while adhering to energy conservation laws.