The potential energy of a freely falling object decreases progressively. Does this violate the law of conservation of energy? Why?

Answer

As a body falls from some height, it loses its potential energy.

But as it falls, it gains some velocity.

Due to the increase in velocity, the body gains kinetic energy.

 

The potential energy of the body decreases as it falls, but the kinetic energy increases.

Hence, the total energy (sum of kinetic energy+potential energy) remains constant.

Since the total energy is always conserved, it does not violate the law of conservation of energy.

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CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 13 years and a teacher from the past 17 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo