What happens to the potential energy of an object as it falls freely near the Earth's surface?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: As an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, its potential energy decreases. This decrease occurs because the gravitational potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy as the object accelerates due to gravity. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces like air resistance. Choice B ('Potential energy increases') is incorrect because the object's potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy, leading to a decrease. Choice C ('Potential energy remains constant') is incorrect as the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy results in a decrease in potential energy. Choice D ('Potential energy becomes zero') is incorrect because potential energy is not reduced to zero but is transformed into kinetic energy as the object falls.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The main organ responsible for regulating sleep is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in controlling the body's circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It receives input from the eyes about light and darkness, aiding in determining when it's time to sleep or wake up. Additionally, the hypothalamus regulates the production of melatonin by the pineal gland, a hormone that helps control sleep patterns. While the thalamus relays sensory information to the brain, the pituitary gland is primarily responsible for hormone production and release, and the pineal gland produces melatonin under the control of the hypothalamus. Therefore, the hypothalamus is the correct choice as the main organ involved in sleep regulation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kidneys. The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for filtering urine. They filter waste products and excess substances from the blood to produce urine. Subsequently, urine travels from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder. The bladder temporarily stores urine until it is expelled from the body through the urethra. The bladder's function is storage, the ureters transport urine, and the urethra is the exit pathway for urine expulsion. Therefore, the kidneys play a vital role in the filtration and production of urine within the urinary system.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The functional group present in amines is the amine group, represented as -NH2. Amines are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a nitrogen atom bonded to hydrogen atoms. The amine group distinguishes amines from other types of organic compounds, such as alcohols with the hydroxyl group, ketones with the carbonyl group, and nitro compounds with the nitro group. Therefore, the correct answer is 'C: Amine.'

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The compound CH₃COOH is commonly known as acetic acid. Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a sour taste and a pungent smell. It is a weak acid found in vinegar and is used in the production of various chemicals. Formic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid are different organic acids with distinct chemical structures and properties, but they are not the common name for the compound CH₃COOH.