An object falls through the air, gaining speed as it falls. A student claims that this create new energy and so it breaks the law of conservation by energy which statement describes why the student is correct

1 answer

The student is incorrect in claiming that the object falling through the air creates new energy, which would break the law of conservation of energy. According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed. In the case of the falling object, as it gains speed, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The increase in kinetic energy is equal to the decrease in potential energy, thus maintaining the total energy of the system. Therefore, no new energy is created, and the law of conservation of energy is upheld.