Question

A freelyfalling object eventually stops on reaching the ground. What happensto its kinetic energy?

Answer 1

Whenan object falls freely towards the ground, its potential energydecreases and kinetic energy increases. As the objecttouches the ground, all its potential energy gets converted intokinetic energy. As the object hits the hard ground, all its kineticenergy gets converted into heat energy and sound energy. It can alsodeform the ground depending upon the nature of the ground and theamount of kinetic energy possessed by the object.