Is the Law of Conservation of Energy Valid in a Non-Local Context?

In summary, the law of conservation of energy can be considered in a non-local context in the context of Newtonian mechanics and special relativity, but not in general relativity. This is because in general relativity, energy is conserved locally but not globally due to the lack of a fixed global concept of simultaneity.
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Kyle Nemeth
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Is it accepted that the law of conservation of energy can be considered in a non-local context? If this is not accepted, then why not?
 
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Kyle Nemeth said:
Is it accepted that the law of conservation of energy can be considered in a non-local context? If this is not accepted, then why not?
In the context of Newtonian mechanics, energy is strictly and globally conserved.
In the context of special relativity, energy is strictly and globally conserved.

In the context of general relativity, energy is conserved locally but global energy conservation is not simple. One way of seeing this is to realize that there is no fixed global concept of simultaneity. So there is no fixed meaning to an assertion that total energy "now" is the same as total energy "a moment ago".
 
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Related to Is the Law of Conservation of Energy Valid in a Non-Local Context?

1. What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one form to another. This means that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant.

2. What are some examples of the Law of Conservation of Energy in everyday life?

Some examples of the Law of Conservation of Energy in everyday life include: a swinging pendulum, a moving car, a light bulb producing light, and a battery powering a device. In all of these examples, energy is being transformed from one form to another, but the total amount of energy remains the same.

3. How does the Law of Conservation of Energy relate to the First Law of Thermodynamics?

The First Law of Thermodynamics is essentially a restatement of the Law of Conservation of Energy. It states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant, and can only be transferred between different forms, but cannot be created or destroyed.

4. Is the Law of Conservation of Energy always true?

Yes, the Law of Conservation of Energy is a fundamental principle of physics and is always true in a closed system. However, in certain situations involving nuclear reactions or extreme gravitational forces, a small amount of mass can be converted into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc².

5. How is the Law of Conservation of Energy useful in scientific research and technology?

The Law of Conservation of Energy is a fundamental principle in many scientific fields, including thermodynamics, mechanics, and electromagnetism. It allows scientists and engineers to make accurate predictions about the behavior of energy in various systems, and is the basis for many important technologies, such as renewable energy sources, engines, and electronic devices.

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