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

A. Energy is converted from other forms, not created.
B. Equal and opposite amounts of other energy are also created.
C. Speed is not related to energy in any way.
D. Energy can be created without breaking the law of conservation of energy.

Answer 1

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

A. Energy is converted from other forms, not created.

When an object falls, its potential energy (due to its height) is converted into kinetic energy (due to its speed). This conversion does not create new energy; it merely transforms energy from one form to another, thus adhering to the law of conservation of energy.

Answer 2

are you sure this is correct

Answer 3

Yes, I am confident that the correct answer is:

A. Energy is converted from other forms, not created.

In the context of an object's fall, its gravitational potential energy decreases as it falls, and this energy is converted into kinetic energy as the object's speed increases. This process adheres to the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one form to another. The student's claim that this process creates new energy is incorrect.