When an object falls freely under the influence of gravity, it converts its potential energy into kinetic energy. The potential energy of an object at a certain height is given by the formula PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height.

In this scenario, the object falls from a height of 20 m, which means it initially has a certain amount of potential energy. As it falls through a distance of 5 m, it loses a portion of its potential energy.

Option 1 states that the body would lose one-fourth of its total energy. However, this is incorrect because the body only loses a portion of its potential energy as it falls through a distance of 5 m, not its total energy.

Option 2 correctly states that the body would lose one-fourth of its potential energy. This is because the body is falling from a height of 20 m, and after falling through a distance of 5 m, it would have lost one-fourth of its initial potential energy.

Option 3 states that the body would gain one-fourth of its potential energy, which is incorrect. The body is losing potential energy as it falls, not gaining it.

Option 4 states