What is Kinetic Energy and How to Compute It?
Kinetic Energy is the energy possessed by an object by virtue of its motion. Kinetic Energy is a consequence of the object’s velocity. Because of its motion, the object is capable of performing work, or transferring energy. A bowling ball that is made to roll along the bowling lane possess kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of the bowling ball depends on two variables - its mass and its velocity. Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass. A heavier object has more kinetic energy than a lighter one, granted both objects are moving at the same speed. A heavier truck posses more kinetic energy than the smaller truck. The KE of the 5000 kg truck is 250,000 J at 10 m/s velocity while the 10,000 kg truck has a KE of 500,000 J In terms of velocity, the faster the ball rolls, the greater is its kinetic energy. In fact, the relationship between kinetic energy and velocity is a direct square relationship. Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of t...