Which statement describes what happens to an object as it falls freely near the surface of the earth

• A. Its kinetic energy increases and its potential energy decreases
• B. Both kinetic and potential energies increase
• C. Its kinetic energy decreases and its potential energy increases
• D. Both kinetic and potential energies decrease

Answer: (A)

As an object falls freely near Earth’s surface, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as its speed increases. Gravitational potential energy depends on height (U = mgh); as the object loses height, U decreases. Kinetic energy (K = 1/2 mv^2) increases because gravity accelerates the object, making its velocity rise. If air resistance is negligible, the total mechanical energy stays constant, so the decrease in potential energy matches the increase in kinetic energy. This is why the correct description is that kinetic energy increases while potential energy decreases. The other possibilities would imply energy appearing or disappearing or the speed dropping, which isn’t what happens in free fall without nonconservative forces.