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Kinetic Energy Formula:
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Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It depends on both the mass of the object and its velocity, making it a fundamental concept in physics and engineering.
The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity, meaning doubling the velocity quadruples the kinetic energy.
Details: Calculating kinetic energy is essential in various fields including mechanical engineering, automotive safety, sports science, and physics education. It helps determine the energy involved in collisions, braking distances, and motion analysis.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive (mass > 0, velocity ≥ 0). The result will be displayed in Joules (J).
Q1: What are the units for kinetic energy?
A: The SI unit for kinetic energy is Joules (J), where 1 J = 1 kg·m²/s².
Q2: Why is velocity squared in the formula?
A: Velocity is squared because kinetic energy depends on the square of velocity, reflecting how energy increases exponentially with speed.
Q3: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero (when velocity is zero), as both mass and velocity squared are non-negative.
Q4: 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.
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 (like gravitational or spring energy).