1. What is Kinetic Energy?

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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the kinetic energy equation:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating kinetic energy is essential in physics, engineering, and various applications including vehicle safety design, sports science, and energy conservation studies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be valid (mass > 0, velocity ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of kinetic energy?
A: The SI unit for kinetic energy is the Joule (J), which is equal to kg·m²/s².

Q2: Does kinetic energy depend on direction?
A: No, kinetic energy is a scalar quantity and depends only on the magnitude of velocity, not its direction.

Q3: What happens to kinetic energy when velocity doubles?
A: Kinetic energy increases by a factor of four when velocity doubles, since it's proportional to the square of velocity.

Q4: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always zero or positive since both mass and the square of velocity are non-negative.

Q5: How is kinetic energy related to work?
A: The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy.