c. What is happening to potential energy as the ball is falling? (1 point)
• Potential energy is decreasing.
• Potential energy is increasing.
Potential energy is staying the same.
• It is impossible to tell.
a. Potential energy is decreasing.
A. Potential energy is decreasing.
In this scenario, we have a ball falling. The potential energy of an object is the energy it possesses due to its position. It is dependent on its height or distance from a reference point.
As the ball falls, its height or distance from the reference point decreases. Since potential energy is directly proportional to height, as the height decreases, the potential energy also decreases. Therefore, the correct answer is:
• Potential energy is decreasing.