Kinetic Energy Equation and Calculator

Engineering Physics Resources

In physics , the kinetic energy of an object is the energy that it possesses due to its motion . It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity . Having gained this energy during its acceleration , the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes. The same amount of work is done by the body in decelerating from its current speed to a state of rest.

In classical mechanics , the kinetic energy of a non-rotating object of mass m traveling at a speed v is 1/2(mv²). In relativistic mechanics , this is a good approximation only when v is much less than the speed of light .

Equation:

E_k = 1/2(mv²)

Where:
E_k = Kinetic Energy
m = mass
v = velocity

MASS (kg)	VELOCITY (m/s)	KINETIC ENERGY (joules)