A

David

Darling

kinetic energy

Kinetic energy is energy of motion, equivalent to one-half an object's mass multiplied by its velocity squared. If a body of mass m has an initial velocity u and is accelerated by a constant force F to velocity of v then from Newton's laws of motion, v 2 = u 2 + 2as and the definition of force F = ma, then the work done is equal to Fs.

 

   W = Fs
   but F = ma and s = ½a(v 2 - u 2)
   so W = ½m(v 2u 2)
   = ½mv 2 – ½mu 2

 

If the body starts from rest, u = 0 and so the work done on it would be ½mv 2. This gives the amount of energy that any moving body of mass m traveling at velocity v has.

 

Compare with potential energy.