Which one of the following statements is correct for a body falling freely under gravity? (neglect air resistance)

When a body falls freely under gravity in a vacuum (neglecting air resistance), it is subject only to the constant acceleration due to gravity, 'g' [t6, t10]. Consequently, its acceleration does not increase; it remains constant [t8]. As the body descends, its velocity increases linearly with time (V = gt), which leads to a continuous increase in its kinetic energy (K = 1/2 mv²) [t3, t5]. Simultaneously, the body's height above the ground decreases, causing its gravitational potential energy (U = mgh) to decrease [t1, t3]. While the individual energies change, the total mechanical energy (the sum of kinetic and potential energy) remains constant throughout the fall due to the law of conservation of energy [t1, t2]. Momentum also changes because the velocity is increasing [t3]. Therefore, the correct statement is that kinetic energy increases while potential energy decreases.

Sources

1. [1] https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/motion-of-free-falling-object/