Kinetic Energy Calculator
Calculator Use
The Kinetic Energy Calculator finds the unknown variable in the physics equation for kinetic energy of a rigid body. Enter the two known variables and the calculator finds the third.
Where:
- KE = kinetic energy
- m = mass of a body
- v = velocity of a body
The Kinetic Energy Calculator uses the formula KE = (1/2)mv2, or kinetic energy (KE) equals one half of the mass (m) times velocity squared (v2). The calculator uses any two known values to calculate the third. Enter the units of measure for each value and the calculator converts among the units.
Kinetic Energy Calculations Used Here:
Solving for kinetic energy, mass or velocity involves these formulas.
Calculate KE Given m and v
Calculate kinetic energy given mass and velocity:
Kinetic Energy KE equals 1/2 times mass m times velocity squared v2
Calculate m Given KE and v
Calculate mass given kinetic energy and velocity:
Mass m equals 2 times kinetic energy KE divided by velocity squared v2
Calculate v Given KE and m
Calculate velocity given kinetic energy and mass:
Velocity v equals the square root of kinetic energy KE divided by one half of the mass m
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy is the energy an object has owing to its motion. In classical mechanics, kinetic energy (KE) is equal to half of an object's mass (1/2*m) multiplied by the velocity squared. For example, if a an object with a mass of 10 kg (m = 10 kg) is moving at a velocity of 5 meters per second (v = 5 m/s), the kinetic energy is equal to 125 Joules, or (1/2 * 10 kg) * 5 m/s2.
We use Joules, kilograms, and meters per second as our defaults, although any appropriate units for mass (grams, ounces, etc.) or velocity (miles per hour, millimeters per second, etc.) could certainly be used as well - the calculation is the same regardless.
References/ Further Reading
- Introduction to Work and Energy - Kahn Academy
- Kinetic Energy - The Physics Classroom