What is happening to potential energy as the ball is falling?(1 point)
Responses
Potential energy is decreasing.
Potential energy is decreasing.
Potential energy is increasing.
Potential energy is increasing.
Potential energy is staying the same.
Potential energy is staying the same.
It is impossible to tell.
Potential energy is decreasing.
Potential energy is decreasing.
The correct answer is: Potential energy is decreasing.
Explanation:
To understand what is happening to the potential energy of a ball as it falls, we need to remember that potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or state. In this case, the potential energy of the ball is gravitational potential energy, which depends on its height above the ground.
As the ball falls, its height decreases. Since potential energy is directly proportional to height, as the height decreases, the potential energy also decreases. This is because gravity is pulling the ball towards the ground, converting potential energy into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. Therefore, the potential energy of the ball is decreasing as it falls.