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, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 m v².

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The kinetic energy increases with the square of the velocity, meaning doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Kinetic energy calculations are fundamental in physics for understanding motion, collisions, energy conservation, and are essential in engineering applications like vehicle safety design and sports science.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers (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 joules (J), where 1 joule = 1 kg·m²/s².

Q2: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero since both mass and velocity squared are non-negative quantities.

Q3: How does mass affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy (at constant velocity).

Q4: How does velocity affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity - doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.

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.