Question

Which of the following is related to a body freely falling from a height?

• A. The potential and kinetic energy increases
• B. The potential and kinetic energy decreases
• C. The potential decreases and kinetic energy increases
• D. The potential increases and kinetic energy decreases

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The potential decreases and kinetic energy increases

• The correct statement is indeed The potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases.

• When a body falls freely from a height, its potential energy (PE) decreases as it loses height, and its kinetic energy (KE) increases as it gains speed.

• The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy of a closed system remains constant. In this case, the decrease in potential energy is converted into an increase in kinetic energy.

• As the body falls, its potential energy (PE = mgh, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height) decreases, and its kinetic energy (KE = 1/2 mv², where v is the velocity) increases.