An apple falls from a tree branch. In this case, a) the kinetic and potential energies of the apple increase

An apple falls from a tree branch. In this case, a) the kinetic and potential energies of the apple increase b) the kinetic and potential energies decrease c) the kinetic energy increases, the potential energy decreases d) the kinetic energy decreases, the potential energy increases

Answer b)
When the apple falls, its speed will increase, which will lead to an increase in its kinetic energy (Eк = (m * V ^ 2) / 2, where m is the mass of the apple, V is the speed of the apple), which will reach a maximum at the moment it touches the ground, when all the potential energy of the apple will transform into kinetic energy. The potential energy of the apple (Ep2 = m * g * h, where m is the mass of the apple, g is the acceleration of gravity, h is the height of the fall) will become less in proportion to the decrease in the distance from the apple to the earth’s surface.