For a freely falling body the potential energy at the top ..........

Options

A. is zero
B. is completely converted to KE
C. is equal to gravitational potential energy
D. is minimum

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the potential energy of a freely falling body at the top, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Concept of Potential Energy**:
- Potential energy (PE) is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or height above the ground. For a freely falling body, this energy is gravitational potential energy.

2. **Analyzing the Situation at the Top**:
- When the body is at the top of its fall, it is at its maximum height. At this point, the velocity of the body is zero because it has not started falling yet.

3. **Calculating Kinetic Energy**:
- The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is given by:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \]
- Since the velocity (v) at the top is 0, the kinetic energy at this point is:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} m(0)^2 = 0 \]

4. **Relating Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy**:
- The total mechanical energy of the body is conserved (assuming no air resistance). At the top, all the energy is in the form of potential energy since kinetic energy is zero.
- Therefore, the potential energy at the top is equal to the gravitational potential energy, which can be expressed as:
\[ PE = mgh \]
- Here, \(h\) is the height above the ground.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Since the kinetic energy is zero and all the energy is in the form of gravitational potential energy, we can conclude that the potential energy at the top is equal to the gravitational potential energy and is not zero or minimum.

### Final Answer:
The potential energy at the top is equal to the gravitational potential energy.