As an object is lowered into a deep hole in the surface of the earth, which of the following must be assumed in regard to its potential energy? 1) increase 2) decrease 3) remain constant 4) cannot tell from the information given 5) increases up to the maximum and then remains constant

To analyze the potential energy of an object being lowered into a deep hole in the surface of the Earth, we need to consider the gravitational potential energy formula, which is given by: \[ PE = mgh \] where: - \( PE \) is the potential energy, - \( m \) is the mass of the object, - \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) near the Earth's surface), - \( h \) is the height above a reference point (in this case, the bottom of the hole). As the object is lowered into the hole, the height \( h \) decreases. Since potential energy is directly proportional to height, as \( h \) decreases, the potential energy \( PE \) also decreases. Thus, the correct assumption regarding the potential energy of the object as it is lowered into the hole is: 2) decrease