1. What is Kinetic Energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is a scalar quantity that depends on both the mass and velocity of the object.

2. How Does the Formula Work?

The kinetic energy formula is:

Where:

• \( KE \) — Kinetic Energy (Joules)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kilograms)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the object (meters per second)

Explanation: The formula shows that kinetic energy is proportional to the mass of the object and proportional to the square of its velocity.

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating kinetic energy is essential in physics and engineering for understanding motion, collisions, energy conservation, and designing safety systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is measured in Joules (J) in the SI system.

Q2: Why is velocity squared in the formula?
A: Velocity is squared because kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity - doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy.

Q3: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero since both mass and velocity squared are non-negative quantities.

Q4: How does mass affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy (at constant velocity).

Q5: 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.