An object falls through the air, gaining speed as it falls. A student claims that this creates new energy, and so it breaks the law of conservation of energy. Which statement describes why the student is incorrect?

Question

options:

A). Equal and opposite amounts of other energy are also created.

B). Energy is converted from other forms, not created.

C). Energy can be created without breaking the law of conservation of energy.

D). Speed is not related to energy in any way.

Answer 1

The correct statement that describes why the student is incorrect is:

B). Energy is converted from other forms, not created.

When an object falls through the air, it converts potential energy (due to its height) into kinetic energy (due to its speed). This process does not create new energy; it simply transforms energy from one form to another, in accordance with the law of conservation of energy.