Which shows a decrease in gravitational potential energy? 1) A rock climber ascending up Stone Mountain. 2) A car slowing down on a flat road. 3) A girl jumping from her bed to the floor. 4) A car sitting at the bottom of a parking garage.

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### Understanding Gravitational Potential Energy

**Question:**   
Which shows a decrease in gravitational potential energy?

**Options:**
1. A rock climber ascending up Stone Mountain.
2. A car slowing down on a flat road.
3. A girl jumping from her bed to the floor.
4. A car sitting at the bottom of a parking garage.

**Explanation:**
Gravitational potential energy depends on the height of an object above the ground and its mass. When an object decreases in height, its gravitational potential energy decreases.

- **Option 1**: A rock climber ascending up Stone Mountain is climbing up, which increases the height and therefore increases gravitational potential energy.
- **Option 2**: A car slowing down on a flat road does not change height, so its gravitational potential energy remains the same.
- **Option 3**: A girl jumping from her bed to the floor is moving downward, decreasing her height and thus decreasing gravitational potential energy.
- **Option 4**: A car sitting at the bottom of a parking garage already has a low potential energy, but if it is stationary, there's no change in height and hence no change in gravitational potential energy.

From the above options, **Option 3** (A girl jumping from her bed to the floor) represents a situation where gravitational potential energy decreases as the girl moves downward.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Gravitational Potential Energy **Question:** Which shows a decrease in gravitational potential energy? **Options:** 1. A rock climber ascending up Stone Mountain. 2. A car slowing down on a flat road. 3. A girl jumping from her bed to the floor. 4. A car sitting at the bottom of a parking garage. **Explanation:** Gravitational potential energy depends on the height of an object above the ground and its mass. When an object decreases in height, its gravitational potential energy decreases. - **Option 1**: A rock climber ascending up Stone Mountain is climbing up, which increases the height and therefore increases gravitational potential energy. - **Option 2**: A car slowing down on a flat road does not change height, so its gravitational potential energy remains the same. - **Option 3**: A girl jumping from her bed to the floor is moving downward, decreasing her height and thus decreasing gravitational potential energy. - **Option 4**: A car sitting at the bottom of a parking garage already has a low potential energy, but if it is stationary, there's no change in height and hence no change in gravitational potential energy. From the above options, **Option 3** (A girl jumping from her bed to the floor) represents a situation where gravitational potential energy decreases as the girl moves downward.
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