National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

When an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, what transformation of energy occurs?

1. Friction to kinetic energy.

2. Kinetic energy to friction.

3. Kinetic energy to potential energy.

4. Potential energy to kinetic energy.

The correct answer is: Potential energy to kinetic energy.

When an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, the primary transformation of energy that occurs is from potential energy to kinetic energy. At the beginning of the fall, the object possesses gravitational potential energy, which is dependent on its height above the ground. As the object falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. As the height decreases, the gravitational potential energy diminishes, while the kinetic energy, associated with the object's speed, increases. By the time the object reaches the ground, it has lost a significant amount of potential energy and gained equal amounts of kinetic energy, assuming no air resistance or other forces act upon it. This energy transformation is a fundamental principle in physics and illustrates the conservation of mechanical energy in a system where external forces like friction are negligible. The other options do not describe the correct relationship for a freely falling object: there is no conversion involving friction, and the conversion should clearly illustrate the transition from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy as the object descends.