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?(1 point)

Question

Responses

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

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

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

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:

Energy is converted from other forms, not created.

As the object falls, the gravitational potential energy it has due to its height above the ground is converted into kinetic energy as it gains speed. There is no new energy being created; rather, energy is being transformed from one form to another. This process adheres to the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.