What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. This form of energy is calculated based on the mass of the object and the velocity at which it is moving, following the formula ( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ), where ( m ) represents mass and ( v ) signifies velocity. This means that the faster an object moves, or the more massive it is, the greater its kinetic energy will be.

When discussing kinetic energy, it is distinct from potential energy, which is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. While gravitational force relates to potential energy, which involves height or stored energy due to gravity, kinetic energy specifically refers to the energy an object has while it is in motion. Additionally, the energy released during combustion pertains to chemical energy transforming into heat and light, rather than the motion of an object. Therefore, the key characteristic of kinetic energy is its direct association with motion, making it the fundamental aspect defining this type of energy.