Question

read the text about an animal in motion. a horse was grazing at the top of a small hill. the horse got thirsty and ran toward a river at the bottom of the hill. complete the statement. assume that the horse’s mass did not change. the gravitational potential energy stored between the horse and earth ______ as the horse ran toward the river. increased decreased stayed the same

Explanation:

Step1: Recall potential - energy formula

The gravitational potential energy formula is $U = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, and $h$ is the height above the ground.

Step2: Analyze height change

As the horse runs from the top of the hill to the bottom (toward the river), its height $h$ relative to the ground decreases. Since $m$ (mass of the horse) and $g$ (acceleration due to gravity) are constant, and $U$ is directly proportional to $h$ ($U = mgh$), when $h$ decreases, the gravitational potential energy $U$ decreases.

Answer:

decreased