Which of the following describes the total energy conservation principle?

The total energy conservation principle states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time. This principle implies that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can only change forms. When considering the context of collisions, the principle asserts that the total energy present in the system before the collision is equal to the total energy present after the collision. This includes all forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, and any other forms that may be present in the system.

In the context of option B, it clearly captures the essence of energy conservation: that regardless of energy transformations that occur during the collision, the sum of all forms of energy remains unchanged. This is a fundamental concept in both classical mechanics and thermodynamics.

Other options do not adequately reflect the total energy conservation principle. For example, the first choice suggests a relationship strictly between kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE), which does not encompass all forms of energy. The third option misleadingly indicates that only kinetic energy is conserved, omitting potential energy and other forms. Finally, the statement that potential energy is always zero is inaccurate as potential energy can vary based on a system's configuration, such as the height in a gravitational field. Collectively, these