An object is raised to a height of 3 m from the ground. It is then allowed to fall on to a table 1 m high from ground level. In this context, which one among the following statements is correct ?

The correct answer is Option 1. Potential Energy (PE) is defined by the formula mgh, where h is the height relative to the reference level (ground).

• Initial State: At height 3m, the total energy is purely potential, calculated as mg(3).
• Final State: On the table (1m high), the potential energy becomes mg(1).
• Change in PE: The decrease in potential energy is mg(3) - mg(1) = mg(2).

Comparing the decrease (2mg) to the original total energy (3mg), the reduction is exactly two-thirds (2/3). Option 2 is incorrect as it suggests only a 1/3 decrease. Options 3 and 4 are incorrect because at the moment of impact on the table, the energy converted to kinetic energy equals the loss in potential energy (2/3), and potential energy definitely decreases rather than increases.