Context: Read the text about an animal in motion.
A whale was swimming deep in the ocean. After a few minutes, the whale swam to the surface of the water to breathe.
Complete the statement. Assume that the whale's mass did not change.
The gravitational potential energy stored between the whale and Earth () as the whale swam toward the surface.
A. increased
B. stayed the same
C. decreased
Identify the correct option from the choices provided and respond with the letter of the correct option.
Answer: A