As an object falls, how are kinetic and potential energy related?

Question

1.Both potential energy and kinetic energy will increase equally as the object accelerates.
2.Potential energy will decrease in an amount equal to the increase in kinetic energy.
3.The amount of potential energy and kinetic energy each will remain the same.
4.These are different forms of energy that will increase or decrease independent of each other.

Answer 1

As an object falls, its potential energy (due to its position above the ground) decreases while its kinetic energy (due to its motion) increases. Therefore, option 2 is correct: Potential energy will decrease in an amount equal to the increase in kinetic energy.