About the first law of thermodynamics.....

Question

The first law of thermodynamics:

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

One of the postulates of Dalton's atomic theory:

Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed.

So, if energy/atoms cannot be created, where has they originated from in the first place? I mean, the universe is supposed to have given rise to everything in it, but doesn't this law and this postulate contradict that concept?

I might be misunderstanding the theme of the law/postulate, so I am open to correction. I would like others to clear it up for me, or express their opinions.

Answer 1

Atoms are frequently created and destroyed.

The total energy in the universe (so far as such a thing can be defined) is exceedingly close to zero.

The laws of thermodynamics do not apply to the universe as a whole in any case, because the universe's total energy is undefined if not zero.

Answer 2

no. it means that things, or matter can be transformed--not created or destroyed, TRANSFORMED..or TRANSFERRED!

Answer 3

There are fundamental laws of physics.

1. Law of conservation of energy: energy cannot be created nor destroyed; total energy of the universe remains constant. But, Energy can change from one from to the other.

2. Law of conservation of mass

3. Law of conservation of momentum

According to Einstein’s law of mass energy conservation…mass can be converted in to energy… what we are getting from the sun in the form of light and heat is example for it. And it is called nuclear energy. But before we mankind knows it it is a natures secret.  Sofor to the best of my knowledge it is not possible to convert the energy into mass. But may be in near future.???

I guess, your are a grade 11 or 12 student. So at the basic level, try to understand the building blocks of the subject. Good look.

Answer 4

Dalton's Atomic Theory has been updated through the gain of knowledge and understanding of atomic structures. Atoms can be created from protons and neutrons. Through Fission and Fusion, atoms are broken apart or put together in order to release/absorb energy. This energy that is gained is from the breaking of bonds inside the nucleus which was placed there at the time the atom was formed. Atoms are formed from the random collision of protons and neutrons. Even then, we are still discovering and updating quantum science with the discovery of Neutrinos and other smaller atomic matter.