Question

as a heavy metal ball rolls down a hill, it goes faster and faster. which statement is true?
a the ball is gaining potential energy from the hill.
b the balls potential energy is changing into kinetic energy.
c the ball is rapidly losing kinetic energy as it rolls down the hill.
d the ball will continue gaining kinetic energy until it stops.

Explanation:

• Option A is wrong: Potential energy depends on height; as the ball rolls down, height decreases, so it loses potential energy, not gains it.
• Option B is correct: As the ball descends, its gravitational potential energy (due to height) converts into kinetic energy (due to motion), causing it to speed up.
• Option C is wrong: The ball speeds up, so its kinetic energy increases, not decreases.
• Option D is wrong: When the ball stops, its kinetic energy drops to zero, so it stops gaining kinetic energy before it comes to a halt (once it reaches flat ground, kinetic energy stays constant until friction stops it).

Answer:

B. The ball's potential energy is changing into kinetic energy.