Home
Back
Kinetic Energy Formula:
| From: | To: |
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 speed quadruples the kinetic energy.
Details: Calculating kinetic energy is essential for understanding motion, collision dynamics, vehicle safety design, sports science, and energy conservation principles in physics.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive (mass > 0, velocity ≥ 0).
Q1: What are the units for kinetic energy?
A: The standard SI unit is Joules (J), where 1 Joule = 1 kg·m²/s².
Q2: Why is velocity squared in the formula?
A: Velocity is squared because kinetic energy increases exponentially with speed, reflecting the work needed to accelerate an object.
Q3: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero (when velocity is zero), as it represents the energy of motion.
Q4: How does mass affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy at the same 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.