Question

When an apple falls freely from the tree towards the ground, its total energy:

• A. increases
• B. decreases
• C. first increases and then decreases
• D. remains constant

Answer 1

The correct option is D

remains constant

According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a system will always remain constant. This is true for a free fall. When the apple is at rest at the highest position, all the energy it contains is its potential energy. Once the apple starts falling, the amount of P.E it contains decreases and K.E. increases simultaneously thereby keeping the total energy as constant.