1. What is Kinetic Energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is a scalar quantity measured in joules (J) in the International System of Units (SI).

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 of an object is directly proportional to its mass and 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 transfer, and designing safety systems.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units for kinetic energy?
A: The SI unit for kinetic energy is the joule (J). 1 joule equals 1 kg·m²/s².

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

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.