During free fall of an object :
its potential energy increases and its kinetic energy decreases.
its potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases.
both its potential energy and kinetic energy increase.
both its potential energy and kinetic energy decrease.
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
– Potential energy (PE) due to gravity is given by mgh, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height. As an object falls, its height (h) decreases, so its potential energy decreases.
– Kinetic energy (KE) is given by 0.5mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. As an object falls under gravity, its speed (v) increases (due to acceleration ‘g’), so its kinetic energy increases.
– In ideal free fall (neglecting air resistance), the total mechanical energy (PE + KE) is conserved. The decrease in potential energy is equal to the increase in kinetic energy.