The kinetic energy of an object is the energy it possesses due to motion.

Energy is the ability to do work. There are 2 types of energy: kinetic and potential energy. In this section, we look at kinetic energy: energy of motion. Kinetic energy depends on the object’s mass and velocity. If the object is not moving, there is no kinetic energy.

The change in kinetic energy of an object is also related to work done by all forces acting on the object, according to Work – Kinetic energy theorem.

Kinetic energy is measured in units of Joules (J); one Joule is equal to 1 kg(m²/s²).

 

Practice Questions

 

Khan Academy

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MCAT Official Prep (AAMC)

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Key Points

• Kinetic Energy is the energy of an object in motion: KE = ½ m(v^2) (J)

• If there is no motion, there is no kinetic energy.

Key Terms

kinetic energy: kinetic energy of an object is the energy that it possesses due to its motion

energy: the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms

work: the measure of energy transfer that occurs when an object is moved over a distance by an external force