Which principle indicates that energy continuously degrades into lower quality energy during transformation?

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that energy transformations are not 100% efficient and that energy tends to disperse or spread out, leading to a decrease in the quality of energy. This principle highlights that in any energy conversion process, some energy is lost as waste heat, which is a form of lower quality energy. This degradation implies that while energy is conserved overall (as articulated in the First Law of Thermodynamics), the usable energy diminishes over time, resulting in increased entropy in a closed system.

This concept is fundamental in understanding various physical processes, from biological systems to mechanical engines, where energy is transformed from one form to another. The other laws mentioned, such as the First and Third Laws of Thermodynamics and the Law of Conservation of Momentum, address different aspects of physical systems and energy but do not specifically focus on the degradation of energy quality during transformations.