As an object falls, how are kinetic and potential energy related?(1 point)

Question

Responses

These are different forms of energy that will increase or decrease independent of each other.
These are different forms of energy that will increase or decrease independent of each other.

The amount of potential energy and kinetic energy each will remain the same.
The amount of potential energy and kinetic energy each will remain the same.

Potential energy will decrease in an amount equal to the increase in kinetic energy.
Potential energy will decrease in an amount equal to the increase in kinetic energy.

Both potential energy and kinetic energy will increase equally as the object accelerates.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Potential energy will decrease in an amount equal to the increase in kinetic energy.

This statement reflects the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, which states that in the absence of air resistance and other non-conservative forces, the total mechanical energy (potential energy + kinetic energy) of an object remains constant as it falls. As potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases by an equal amount.