Kinetic Energy Formula:
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Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. The SI unit for kinetic energy is the joule (J).
The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The kinetic energy increases with the square of the velocity, meaning that doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.
Details: Kinetic energy calculations are essential in physics, engineering, and various practical applications including vehicle safety design, sports science, and energy conservation studies.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. All values must be valid (mass > 0, velocity > 0).
Q1: What is the relationship between kinetic energy and velocity?
A: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity. This means that if velocity doubles, kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.
Q2: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always a positive quantity or zero (when velocity is zero) since both mass and the square of velocity are non-negative.
Q3: How does mass affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass. Doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy, assuming velocity remains constant.
Q4: What are some real-world applications of kinetic energy?
A: Applications include calculating stopping distances for vehicles, designing safety equipment, analyzing sports performance, and understanding energy transformations in mechanical systems.
Q5: How is kinetic energy related to work?
A: The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object equals the change in its kinetic energy.