The potential energy of a freely falling object decreases progressively. Does this violate the law of conservation of energy? Why?


No. The process does not violate the law of conservation of energy. When the body falls from a height, its potential energy changes into kinetic energy progressively. A decrease in the potential energy is equal to an increase in the kinetic energy of the body.
Thus for a freely falling object, its potential energy decreases but kinetic energy increases in such a way that its total mechanical energy remains constant.
Moreover, potential energy of a freely falling object is converted into its kinetic energy.

Final Answer:

No. The process does not violate the law of conservation of energy. When the body falls from a height, its potential energy changes into kinetic energy progressively. A decrease in the potential energy is equal to an increase in the kinetic energy of the body.
Thus for a freely falling object, its potential energy decreases but kinetic energy increases in such a way that its total mechanical energy remains constant.
Moreover, potential energy of a freely falling object is converted into its kinetic energy.