Which statement best describes how energy is conserved during a transfer?

The correct statement highlights the principle of conservation of energy, which is a foundational concept in physics. According to this principle, energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred from one form to another or moved from one system to another.

When a transfer occurs, such as when electrical energy is converted to light energy in a light bulb, the total energy before the transfer remains equal to the total energy after the transfer, albeit in different forms. This reflects that while energy might change its form (like from potential energy to kinetic energy), the overall amount of energy in a closed system remains constant. Therefore, the total amount of energy before the transfer equals that after, affirming the conservation principle.

This concept is essential because it highlights that in any energy transfer process, while energy may change its state or form, the quantity of energy remains unchanged.