What is an example of kinetic energy being converted from potential energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy based on an object's position or configuration. When an object is held at a height, it possesses gravitational potential energy. Once released, that stored energy transforms into kinetic energy as the object begins to fall. Therefore, when an object is dropped, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases as it accelerates toward the ground. This transformation occurs because the gravitational force acting on the object causes it to move, illustrating the conversion from potential to kinetic energy effectively.

In contrast, the other options do not illustrate this direct conversion of energy types. Heating an object involves increasing the internal energy rather than converting potential energy into kinetic energy. Stretching or compressing an object involves changing its shape and storing elastic potential energy, but not converting that energy into kinetic energy through movement like in the case of dropping an object.