Calculate The Total Kinetic Energy Before And After Collision

Total Kinetic Energy Formula:

\[ KE_{total} = \sum \frac{1}{2} m_i v_i^2 \]

Total Kinetic Energy:

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1. What is Total Kinetic Energy?

Total kinetic energy is the sum of the kinetic energies of all objects in a system. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated as one-half the product of its mass and the square of its velocity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:

\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 \]

And for multiple objects:

\[ KE_{total} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{1}{2} m_i v_i^2 \]

Where:

\( KE \) — Kinetic energy (Joules)
\( m \) — Mass of the object (kilograms)
\( v \) — Velocity of the object (meters per second)
\( n \) — Number of objects in the system

Explanation: The calculator sums the kinetic energy of each object to find the total kinetic energy of the system before or after a collision.

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating total kinetic energy before and after collisions is fundamental in physics to determine whether a collision is elastic (kinetic energy conserved) or inelastic (kinetic energy not conserved).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of objects, then for each object, provide its mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. All mass values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the unit of kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is measured in Joules (J) in the SI system, where 1 J = 1 kg·m²/s².

Q2: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always zero or positive since it depends on the square of velocity.

Q3: How does kinetic energy relate to momentum?
A: Both are related to an object's motion, but kinetic energy is a scalar quantity while momentum is a vector quantity.

Q4: What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
A: Kinetic energy is energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy due to position or configuration.

Q5: Why is kinetic energy important in collision analysis?
A: The conservation or loss of kinetic energy helps classify collisions as elastic or inelastic, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the system.