1.10 Energy flow and the 10% Rule

First law of thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy)

Whenever energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, no energy is created or destroyed.

10% rule

10% of all the energy produced at every trophic level is passed onto the next level

Energy pyramid

a graphical model of energy flow in a community

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Whenever energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, we always end up with lower-quality or less usable energy than we started with.

Third Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy of a perfectly organized crystal at absolute zero is zero. Nothing can exist below 0 Kelvin which is the lowest temperature possible.