Context: Read the text about a person in motion.
Alec hiked up a tall mountain. He followed a trail all the way to the summit.
Complete the statement. Assume that Alec's mass did not change.
The gravitational potential energy stored between Alec and Earth () as he hiked toward the summit.
A. stayed the same
B. decreased
C. increased
Select the correct answer from the given choices and respond with the letter of the chosen option.

C