As an object free falls, it experiences an increase in kinetic energy. This must mean that the object is experiencing a(n) in gravitational potential energy.

As an object free falls, it indeed experiences an increase in kinetic energy. This is due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy.

Here's the step by step explanation:

1. When an object is at a height, it has gravitational potential energy. This is because work has been done to lift it against the force of gravity.

2. When the object starts to free fall, this stored potential energy starts to convert into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

3. As the object falls, it speeds up. This means its kinetic energy is increasing.

4. The increase in kinetic energy comes from the conversion of the gravitational potential energy. So, as the kinetic energy increases, the gravitational potential energy decreases.

5. Therefore, as an object free falls and its kinetic energy increases, it is experiencing a decrease in gravitational potential energy.

This is a demonstration of the principle of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another.