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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 is a scalar quantity that depends on both the mass and velocity of the object, following the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 \).
The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity, making speed a more significant factor than mass in energy calculations.
Details: Calculating kinetic energy is crucial in physics, engineering, and safety analysis, particularly in collision scenarios where energy dissipation and impact forces need to be determined.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers to calculate the kinetic energy.
Q1: What units should I use for the calculation?
A: Use kilograms for mass and meters per second for velocity to get results in Joules (the SI unit for energy).
Q2: How does kinetic energy relate to collision impact?
A: In collisions, kinetic energy determines the severity of impact. Higher kinetic energy typically means more destructive potential in a collision.
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 always non-negative.
Q4: How does kinetic energy change with velocity?
A: Kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity. Doubling velocity quadruples the kinetic energy.
Q5: What's the difference between kinetic energy and momentum?
A: While both relate to motion, kinetic energy is a scalar quantity representing energy, while momentum is a vector quantity representing the quantity of motion.