* Potential Energy: Potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or configuration. In the case of a dropped ball, its potential energy is related to its height above the ground. The higher the ball, the more potential energy it has.
* Gravity: As the ball falls, gravity acts upon it, pulling it downwards. This force converts the ball's potential energy into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion.
* Conservation of Energy: The total energy of the system (ball + Earth) remains constant. As the ball falls, its potential energy decreases, but its kinetic energy increases proportionally, ensuring that the total energy stays the same.
Think of it like this: The higher the ball is, the more "stored" energy it has due to its position. As it falls, that stored energy is released and converted into the energy of movement.
