Question

how does the law of conservation of energy apply to the changes in potential and kinetic energy of a pencil as it falls to the floor from lying on a desk?
potential energy is created as kinetic energy is destroyed
kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.
kinetic energy is created as potential energy is destroyed.
potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. When a pencil is on a desk, it has gravitational potential energy due to its height above the floor. As it falls, its height decreases and its speed increases. So, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

Answer:

Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.