Any moving object possesses energy called kinetic energy and can be computed using the formula KE = 1/2 * m * v^2.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The kinetic energy (KE) of any moving object is calculated using the formula:
KE = 1/2 × m × v²
Where:
- KE is the kinetic energy
- m is the mass of the object (in kilograms)
- v is the velocity of the object (in meters per second)
Explanation:
Kinetic energy is the energy that an object has due to its motion. The faster something moves or the heavier it is, the more kinetic energy it has. The formula for kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 × m × v², which means that the energy is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity.
Let us break down what this means. The mass (m) is a measure of how much matter is in an object. If the object is heavier, it has more kinetic energy when it moves. Velocity (v) is the speed of the object in a certain direction. What makes kinetic energy different is that velocity is squared. This means even a small increase in speed results in a much larger increase in kinetic energy.
For example, if a car doubles its speed, its kinetic energy increases by four times. This is why accidents at higher speeds are more dangerous — the moving vehicle carries much more energy.
The factor 1/2 in the formula comes from the calculus involved in deriving the equation. It balances the relationship between the force applied and the distance the object travels while accelerating.
Kinetic energy is always a positive value. It is measured in joules (J) in the metric system. When the object stops moving, its kinetic energy becomes zero because velocity becomes zero.
This concept is important in physics, engineering, and daily life. Whether calculating the energy of a moving train, a falling rock, or even a thrown ball, the same formula helps us understand and predict motion in terms of energy.
