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Conservation Quote by William John Macquorn Rankine

“The law of the conservation of energy is already known, viz. that the sum of the actual and potential energies in the universe is unchangeable.” quote by William John Macquorn Rankine
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“The law of the conservation of energy is already known, viz. that the sum of the actual and potential energies in the universe is unchangeable.”

William John Macquorn Rankine

About This Quote

Source Scientific Text: “On the Conservation of Energy” by Rankine, 1859

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it merely changes form, preserving total amount in the universe.

In simple terms: Energy is constant, just transformed.

Key Takeaway

Conserve resources and respect energy limits.

Themes

physics conservation thermodynamics

Mood

analytical educational

Type

scientific technical

When to use this quote

  • engineering
  • environmental policy
  • education

Key Concepts

energy transformation entropy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this principle affect daily energy use?
  • What technologies embody energy conservation?
A Different Perspective

Complex systems may appear to violate conservation locally.

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