How is kinetic energy calcuated?

Answer 1

For an object with mass m travelling at speed v (assuming it is well below the speed of light), the kinetic energy is given by the mass multiplied by the square of the speed, divided by two. So:

Kinetic energy = m v2 / 2

The potential energy is a little more complicated - this answer assumes you mean gravitational energy. The magnitude of the gravitational potential energy between any two objects is given by the product of their masses multiplied by the gravitational constant, divided by the distance between their centres of mass. Gravity is always an attractive force, so we give it a negative sign to indicate this. So:

Potential energy = - G m1 m2 / r

where G = 6.7 x 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2

m1 and m2 are the two masses in kilograms (say the mass of the Earth and the mass of the Sun)

r = the distance in metres between their centres of mass

If you need the potential energy in a much simpler example, say by raising an object of mass m by a height h vertically, the solution is much easier. The potential energy then is given by:

Potential energy gained = m g h

i.e. mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (N/kg) x height (m)

On Earth, the gravitational field strength is about 9.8 N/kg Kinetic Energy=1/2 times mass times velocity squared

Answer 2

Kinetic energy is defined as energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 0.5 m v^2, where m is the mass of the object, and v is the speed of the object.

Answer 3

Kinetic energy is determined by the following:

Kinetic energy = 1/2 * mass * velocity2

K = 1/2 * m * v2

Answer 4

KE = (0.5 * mass * velocity2) joules

PE = (mass * acceleration due to gravity * height it will fall) joules

Answer 5

KE = (1/2) mv2