When a ball falls freely from a height, what happens to its potential and kinetic energy according to the law of conservation of energy?
Potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases
The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changes from one form to another, so total mechanical energy (PE + KE) stays constant (ignoring air resistance).
Potential energy is \(PE = mgh\); as the ball falls, its height h decreases, so its potential energy decreases.
Kinetic energy is \(KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2\); as the ball falls, its speed increases, so its kinetic energy increases by exactly the amount of PE lost.
PE cannot increase while height falls, both energies cannot decrease together (the total would not be conserved), and the energy is not instantly lost as heat.
Hence, the answer is Potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases.
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