Question

For a freely falling body, which of the following quantities will not change?

(a) Total kinetic energy

(b) Total potential energy

(c) Total mechanical energy

(d) Insufficient data

The question was asked at a job interview.

I need to ask this question from Various Forms of Energy : The Law of Conservation of Energy in division Work, Energy and Power of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (c) Total mechanical energy

Best explanation: For a body falling freely under the influence of gravity, the velocity increases as heigh decreases. Hence, there is a reduction in potential energy but an increase in kinetic energy. However, the total mechanical energy, i.e., the sum of potential and kinetic energy always remains constant as per the law of conservation of energy.