Question

what happens to the energy of a free-falling object when it touches the ground

Answer 1

Dear student,
When body touches ground it.s total energy will be K.E. its P.E. will be zero.
Velocity with which it hit the ground v = (2gh)^1/2
K.E. = 1/2mv²
Substituting the value of v we get K.E. = mgh
Regards
Vijaya