Question

As someone falls toward the Earth, what happens to their GPE?

A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Stays the same
D. Not enough info

Answer 1

B. Decreases

Step-by-step explanation:

• The potential energy or stored energy possessed by an object relative to the earth's gravity is known as gravitational potential energy, GPE.
• This energy depends on the position of the object from the earth's surface and its weight.
• It is given by, GPE = mass × height × gravitational acceleration
• Therefore, a heavier object has more gravitational potential compared to a lighter object at the same height.
• Additionally, an object at a higher height from the surface of the earth will possess more gravitational potential energy compared to an object near the earth's surface.

In this case;

• We would, therefore, conclude that when someone falls towards the earth his/her gravitational potential energy (GPE) decreases due to a decrease in height from the surface of the earth.