Correct Answer: Its potential energy decreases, and its kinetic energy increases.

Solution : The correct answer is its potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases .

As an object falls freely towards the ground, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases. Upon contact with the ground, the entirety of its potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy . When the object impacts the solid surface, its kinetic energy is entirely converted into heat and sound energy.