Kinetic Energy Formula:
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The kinetic energy formula calculates the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is defined as one-half the product of the object's mass and the square of its velocity.
The calculator uses the kinetic energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity, meaning doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy.
Details: Kinetic energy calculations are essential in physics, engineering, and safety analysis for understanding motion, collisions, and energy transfer in mechanical systems.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What are the SI units for kinetic energy?
A: The SI unit for kinetic energy is the Joule (J), which equals 1 kg·m²/s².
Q2: Does kinetic energy depend on direction?
A: No, kinetic energy is a scalar quantity that depends only on magnitude of velocity, not its direction.
Q3: 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.
Q4: 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.
Q5: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero since both mass and velocity squared are non-negative quantities.