KE — kinetic energy (J) m — mass (kg) v — speed (m/s) scalar · always ≥ 0
Kinetic Energy
0.0 J
KE = ½mv²
m · mass10.0 kg
v · speed5.0 m/s
KE = ½mv²125.0 J
at 2v— J (×4)
at 2m— J (×2)
momentum p=mv— kg·m/s
v² — doubling v quadruples KE
m — doubling m doubles KE
KE is always positive (v² ≥ 0)
KE depends on reference frame
KE = ½mv²: kinetic energy is the energy of motion. It depends on both mass and speed — but speed matters more. Double the speed and KE quadruples. Double the mass and KE only doubles.