Question

When a body falls freely towards the earth, then total energy

• A. Increases
• B. Decreases
• C. Remains constant
• D. First increases and then decreases

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Remains constant

The explanation for correct option:

1. A freely falling body is free from the non-conservative and external forces, thus we can apply Conservation of Energy in such a case.
2. By Conservation of energy, the total energy of the body remains conserved, which is constant, i.e., $\mathrm{Kinetic}\mathrm{energy}+\mathrm{potential}\mathrm{energy}=\mathrm{Constant}$.
3. As the body falls its potential energy starts converting into kinetic energy, and the total energy remains the same.

Hence, option (C) is correct.