Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which statement about energy is false?

1. Energy cannot be created.

2. Energy is constantly diminishing in the universe.

3. Energy cannot be destroyed.

4. Energy can be converted from one form to another.

The correct answer is: Energy is constantly diminishing in the universe.

The statement indicating that energy is constantly diminishing in the universe is identified as false, as energy itself is conserved within the universe according to the law of conservation of energy. This principle asserts that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. In reality, while specific forms of energy (like chemical energy in fuel) may decrease as they are converted into other forms (like thermal energy during combustion), the total energy within a closed system remains constant. The implication of energy diminishing would suggest a loss of total energy over time, which does not occur in isolated systems. Thus, the correct understanding emphasizes that energy is always present in one form or another, and total energy in the universe is conserved rather than diminishing.