Answer
The correct answer is: (c) positive and independent of the path taken
Work Step by Step
As the hiker descends, the gravitational potential energy decreases. The change in gravitational potential energy from the initial position to the final position depends on the change in height; it does not depend on the specific path that the hiker takes. Since the change in gravitational potential energy is negative, the work done by gravity on the hiker is positive.
The correct answer is: (c) positive and independent of the path taken
