Q1. When an object falls freely towards the Earth, its total energy:
A increases
B decreases
C remains constant Correct
D first increases then decreases
Explanation
During free fall, if air resistance is neglected, mechanical energy is conserved. As the object comes down, its gravitational potential energy decreases, but its kinetic energy increases by the same amount because its speed rises. Therefore, the total of potential energy and kinetic energy remains constant. Saying that total energy increases ignores the loss of potential energy, while saying it decreases ignores the gain in kinetic energy. The claim that it first increases and then decreases does not follow from energy conservation in ideal free fall.