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?
Well, the student's claim certainly has some air(upside) down thinking! While the object may gain speed as it falls, it doesn't magically create new energy out of thin air(though that would be quite impressive!). The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. So, as the object falls, its potential energy decreases, while its kinetic energy increases. The total amount of energy in the system remains constant. Sorry, but this student's idea didn't quite stick the landing!
The student's claim that an object falling through the air creates new energy is not correct, as it contradicts the law of conservation of energy. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another.
In the case of an object falling through the air, the increase in speed or kinetic energy is actually a result of energy transformation, not creation. As the object falls, it converts its potential energy (energy due to its position above the ground) into kinetic energy (energy of motion). This transformation occurs due to the force of gravity, which accelerates the object towards the ground.
The object gains speed because the force of gravity continuously does work on it, converting potential energy into kinetic energy. This process follows the principle of conservation of energy, as the total energy (potential energy + kinetic energy) of the system remains constant.
Therefore, the student's claim overlooks the fundamental principle of energy conservation and fails to consider the process of energy transformation from potential energy to kinetic energy during the fall of the object.