Kinetic energy of an object is the measure of the work an object can do by the virtue of its motion. Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity. Kinetic energy is completely described by magnitude alone.
- The SI unit of kinetic energy is Joule which is equal to 1 kg.m2.s-2.
- The CGS unit of kinetic energy is erg.
Kinetic energy equation
The equation for kinetic energy can be expressed as
K.E=1/2mvv
where,
- K.E = Kinetic energy
- m = Mass of the body
- v = Velocity of the body
Examples of K.E
- A river flowing at a certain speed comprises kinetic energy as water has certain velocity and mass.
- The kinetic energy of an asteroid falling towards earth is very large.