Context: Read the text about an object in motion.
Mariana dropped a water balloon off a balcony. The water balloon fell toward her friend Nate, who was standing below the balcony.
Complete the statement. Assume that the water balloon's mass did not change.
The gravitational potential energy stored between the water balloon and Earth () as the water balloon fell toward Nate.
A. decreased
B. stayed the same
C. increased
Select the correct answer from the given choices and respond with the letter of the chosen option.

A