What is Kinetic: Definition and 1000 Discussions

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 when 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


m

v

2









{\displaystyle {\begin{smallmatrix}{\frac {1}{2}}mv^{2}\end{smallmatrix}}}
. In relativistic mechanics, this is a good approximation only when v is much less than the speed of light.
The standard unit of kinetic energy is the joule, while the English unit of kinetic energy is the foot-pound.

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  1. C

    Can gas kinetic theory explain heat transfer from gas to a container?

    If one considers the kinetic theory of gases, can a first order estimate of thermal transfer be performed by considering momentum exchange at the container's surface? I understand the basics of explaining and calculating pressure with the kinetic theory of gases, but if we assume energy is...
  2. greenrichy

    Solving Newton's Second Law: Tension, Work and Kinetic Energy

    $$\sum F_x = T - w_x - f_k = ma_x $$ $$ T = mg\sin(\theta) + mg\cos(\theta)\mu_k + ma_x$$ $$ T = (9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}) \cdot (\sin(41^{\circ}) + \cos(41^{\circ})) + (75kg)\cdot(0.25\frac{m}{s^2}) $$ $$T = 672.91 N $$ Having found the tension force, I can find the work done by the person who's...
  3. H

    I Exploring the Kinetic Energy of Merging Black Holes

    Imagine two black holes at great distance. They are both spatially separate and both completely collapsed to a singularity. Gravity begins to pull them together. According to the equation for the gravitation potential energy of two objects at distance… Ug = -GMm/r …These two objects begin...
  4. A

    Alpha Decay and Total Kinetic Energy

    Since we are looking for K total, I summed the given kinetic energy for lead and the typical kinetic energy of an alpha particle: 0.12 + 5 = 5.12 MeV. My answer is definitely wrong, but I don't how I should approach the problem.
  5. lilymay992

    What is the maximum speed of a proton if its kinetic energy is 1.28x10^-14 J?

    So first I tried to use KE=1/2 x m x v^2 but then realized I didn’t have the velocity and I can’t figure out a way to obtain it. I then tried to work out the energy using a different equation, W= q x v but that left me with 1.28x10^-14 J which seemed too small. I also then have to calculate the...
  6. P

    Inclined Plane Problem with Kinetic Friction

    I tried to find the force of friction using the the coefficient of kinetic friction with the equation F=nukmgcos Ѳ. Then I made the force of friction equal to the force of pull. I don't know what I'm doing wrong as I'm getting the wrong answer. I have attached a picture of my work.
  7. M

    Kinetic Energy & Intrinsic Angular Momentum

    I had a question about the equation (1/2)mv^2... Why is the velocity squared? Why not simply (1/2)mv? Does it have anything to do with the intrinsic angular momentum ie does the intrinsic angular momentum change in anyway as velocity increases in a particular reference frame leading to the...
  8. O

    Confused by the relationship of work and kinetic energy

    So the equation for work is W = F * s F = m * a, so W = m * a * s Transferring this to units of measurement gives us: J = kg * m * s-2 * m Or simplified: J = kg * m2 * s-2 Transferring back to units of quantity: W = m * v2 How can that be correct? Obviously Ekin = 1/2 * m * v2. Where did that...
  9. E

    Calculate the kinetic energy of two alpha particles

    if lithium 7 3 captures proton, it is divided into two alpha particles. Calculate the kinetic energy of the alpha particles. the proton energy can be neglected and the mass of the nucleus of Li is 7,01601u. I only know how to write the equation: 3Li7 + 1H1 → 2He4 + 2He4 Can anyone help me? How...
  10. A131313

    Why is the Kinetic Energy 0 at an infinite distance away from a point?

    Hello! I'm trying to understand the concept of escape velocity, and I know you equate the initial mechanical energy to the final mechanical energy, where the final mechanical energy is at a distance of infinity. I know that the gravitational potential energy approaches 0 as the distance r gets...
  11. Curtiss Oakley

    Problem Concerning Rotational Kinetic Energy

    For parts A and B I used energy to find the vcom and omega, but that won’t work for C. I have an answer by combining the three formulas that use acceleration above. My answer for alpha=-5g/3r. The next two are easily solvable if you find C, but I still feel like I’m missing something. Any help...
  12. HammerAndChisel

    Could the kinetic energy of space junk be recycled?

    First time poster here, and I need some experts to weigh in on a debate that I'm having on the Skeptics Guide to the Universe forum, here (https://sguforums.com/index.php/topic,51110.0/topicseen.html ). In my opinion, a few of the other posters are being pessimistic. Given recent advances in...
  13. EEristavi

    Relation between Potential Field, Force, Kinetic Energy and Abs.Energy

    I understand that the work done is Change of Energy. W = ∫xixf F dx = ΔEThe force is gradient of potential energy F = -∇U (For conservative forces of course) from here, we can say that change of potential energy is W: ΔU = -W but also ΔU = -W = ΔE I'm little bit lost here.. Can you help me...
  14. ChrisXenon

    Temperature and molecular Kinetic Energy

    We are told that temperature measures the average kinetic energy of the molecules or atoms in a substance, but this cannot be true. If I take a jar of water and put the jar in my car and drive it aorund, it won't get hotter, though it's kinetic energy must surely be higher. Clearly, I've got...
  15. nineteen

    Why is Kinetic Energy a scalar quantity?

    Why is Kinetic energy a scalar quantity? I read in an article, it said, when the velocity is squared, it is not a vector quantity anymore. Can someone fill in the gaps for me? I can't quite get what that article said. And I would be pleased if you provide some other examples other than kinetic...
  16. velvetmist

    Real life elastic collision and variation of kinetic energy

    How small should ##\Delta T## be in a collision to be considered elastic? In elastic collisions ##\Delta T =0##, but as far as I know, just atomic collisions are considered perfectly elastic. Then, which criterias are used to considere a collision between two objects elastic?
  17. DeathByKugelBlitz

    Kinetic energy and velocity of electron after compton scatte

    Homework Statement A photon with an initial wavelength of 0.1120 nm collides with a free electron that is initially at rest. After the collision the wavelength is 0.1140 nm . a) What is the kinetic energy of the electron after the collision? b) What is its speed? c) If the electron is...
  18. Arman777

    Is This a Valid Derivation of Kinetic Energy from Work?

    I am trying to derive the kinetic energy from the work and can I derive it like this ? $$W=\int Fdr$$ $$W=\int \frac {dp} {dt}dr=\int (dp) \frac {dr} {dt}=\int (mdv)v=1/2m[v_f^2-v_i^2]$$
  19. Bheshaj

    Pressure exerted by a gas (derivation using the kinetic theory of gases)

    In the derivation of finding pressure exerted by a gas using kinetic theory of gases I am not understanding why the time between two collisions is taken as the time for rate of change of momentum when a particle bounces back from the wall. please help me
  20. Sherlock01

    Need help with finding thermal and Kinetic energy

    Homework Statement A block starts at rest. A hand pushes the block with 6.1 N to the right across a rough surface, with 1.5 N of friction. if the block moves 1.6 m horizontally determine the following (a) work done by hand (b) work done by friction (c) the amount of thermal energy created (d)...
  21. J

    Initial and Final Kinetic Energy

    Homework Statement How do Initial and Final Kinetic Energy depend on each other? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Do they remain equal? For example for the same mass m, can we write KE1 = KE2 1/2 m v1^2 = 1/2 m v2^2
  22. F

    Kinetic theory of gases and velocity correlations

    I have been reading up on the kinetic theory of gases, and I'm unsure whether I have correctly understood why particle velocities become correlated after colliding. Is it because during the collision they exchange momentum and thus their velocities (and hence trajectories) are altered in a...
  23. Specter

    Calculating acceleration from the coefficient of kinetic friction

    Homework Statement At a construction side, a small crane is raising two boxes of nails on a plank to the roof. One box has already been opened and is half full, while the other box is new. The boxes, including the nails, weight 10 kg and 20 kg, respectively, and are the same size. Diagram...
  24. S

    Kinetic energy and momentum of two satellites colliding

    Homework Statement Two satellites in space collide inelastically. What happens to the kinetic energy and momentum? a. both are conserved b. KE conserved but momentum reduced c. KE reduced but momentum conserved d. both are reduced e. KE reduced but momentum increased Homework Equations elastic...
  25. B

    Calculate rest mass given relative speed and kinetic energy?

    The answer is 3.079*10^-26 kg I tried doing E=mc^2 20*10^9*1.602*10^-19=m*(3*10^8)^2 m=3.56*10^-26 kg However when I do E=γmc^2 I get the correct answer. Is the question wrong, because isn't it 20 GeV of kinetic energy, not total energy?
  26. M

    Assumptions in the derivation of the kinetic theory of gases

    When deriving the kinetic theory of gases, we take the change in momentum of a particle as it hits one side of a box and divide it by the time over which the collision takes place. The time is derived by taking the total distance the particle traveled in the box (i.e. from one end, off the side...
  27. DLeuPel

    Temperature and the kinetic energy of everything

    Earth rotates, it also orbits the Sun, the Sun orbits the galaxies and these have they’re own velocities as well. We know that the kinetic energy is measured by its velocity, and also that kinetic energy is related with temperature. By this I mean that the movement of particles are a measure of...
  28. F

    Is Mechanical Energy Conserved for Non-Conservative Forces?

    Hello, A generic force ##F##, which may be conservative or not, performs mechanical work which is always equal to $$W=\Delta KE=KE_{final}-KE{initial}$$ i.e. produce a change in the object's kinetic energy ##KE##. Work is essentially a way to inject or subtract kinetic energy from a system. If...
  29. M

    How is momentum conserved if you lose kinetic energy?

    The energy component of KE is the velocity. Momentum is mass x velocity so, in a collision containing in-elasticity, if KE is lost to heat then that heat energy must have been supplied by the velocity of the object. And since velocity has been lost to supply the heat then the overall momentum...
  30. S

    Is atmospheric pressure gravitational or kinetic?

    I keep seeing a popular question asking about atmospheric pressure "crushing" us. The word "crush" throws me off. It is my understanding that air molecules create pressure due to collisions. In other words, the molecules exert pressure due to having kinetic energy - and the more molecules you...
  31. P

    Kinetic Energy & Momentum of a Ball released from Spring

    Homework Statement "A spring with a spring constant "k" is compressed 10 cm from equilibrium. A ball of mass 100 g is at rest next to it. The spring then decompresses quickly back to its equilibrium position causing the ball to shoot forward. If the spring constant is 500 N/m, what is the...
  32. T

    Kinetic energy & Conservation of energy

    Homework Statement You are driving with your car (of total mass: 1.2tonnes) with a speed of v=50km/h, until you see an obstacle. a) What is the kinetic energy of the car? b) When you start to brake, there is still 15m until the obstacle. What must be the size of the friction coefficient (µ)...
  33. N

    How to break up kinetic energy for circular motion?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations L = T-V For constant frequency tangential velocity is (radius)*(w) The Attempt at a Solution I need to find r(t) using the Langrangian L = T-V I just was not sure whether I am on the right track for calculating the total kinetic energy for the above...
  34. S

    Calculating Rotational Kinetic Energy of a Baton

    Homework Statement A drum major twirls a 94-cm-long, 500 g baton about its center of mass at 150 rpm. What is the baton's rotational kinetic energy? Homework Equations KE_rot = 0.5 I w^2 The Attempt at a Solution w = (150rpm*2pi)/60 = 15.708rad/s I = (1/12)*0.5kg * 0.94m = 0.039167kg*m^2...
  35. JTC

    A What Are Examples of Lagrangians in Various Disciplines?

    Assuming generlized variables, q, we have a Lagrangian in mechanics as the kinetic energy, K, minus potential energy, U, with a dependency form such that L(q,dq/dt) = K(q, dq/dt) - U(q) Can someone provide examples of Lagrangians in other disciplines?
  36. Abimbola1987

    Joule's first law - kinetic energy of electrical current

    Dear Sirs, If I take this explanation as being true "The heat is generated on the microscale when the conduction electrons transfer energy to the conductor's atoms by way of collisions." So a "current" must have a quantum of kinetic energy going into the conductor (resistive element) and a...
  37. S

    Kinetic energy problem -- What am I doing wrong?

    <Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.> kinetic energy problem I just want to know what is wrong with how I am solving this problem A block slides to the right on frictionless surface at speed of 20m/s and encounters a 20N force to left when it is at the 1cm...
  38. DracoMalfoy

    Finding the Kinetic Energy of a particle in 2mol of nitrogen

    Homework Statement What is the kinetic energy of a particle in 2mol of nitrogen gas at atmospheric pressure that is within a volume of 100m^3?a. 1.27X10^-17J b. 3X10^5J c. 6.8X10^-16J d. 2.97X10^7 e. 9.9X10^-14J Homework Equations PV=nRT n=Numberof particles/Na Na=6.02x10^23 R=8.13 J/Mol The...
  39. K

    Kinetic energy of Himalayan plate

    In this video (2:30 to 4:00) you can see the Indian continental plate zipping across the Indian Ocean and smashing into Eurasia, raising the Himalayas. Estimate its kinetic energy.
  40. S

    Kinetic Energy for particles (alpha decay)

    Homework Statement Many heavy nuclei undergo spontaneous "alpha decay," in which the original nucleus emits an alpha particle (a helium nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons), leaving behind a "daughter" nucleus that has two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons than the original...
  41. A

    What's the coefficient of kinetic friction?

    Homework Statement : A sled starts from rest at the top of a snow-covered incline that makes a 20° angle with the horizontal. After sliding 68 m down the slope, its speed is 17 m/s. Use the work–energy theorem to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction between the runners of the sled and...
  42. DracoMalfoy

    Rotational Kinetic energy of bar, and new kinetic energy

    Homework Statement A bar of length 2.5m and mass 5kg, whose rotation point is at its center, rotates at 5 rad/s. What is the rotational kinetic energy of the bar?If a point mass of mass 1.5kg is added to each end of the bar, assuming the angluar velocity is the same, what is the new kinetic...
  43. Ricardo

    B Questions about the relativistic kinetic energy expressions

    <Moderator's note: Moved from New Member Introduction.> I am asking assistance in addressing several questions I have with the relativistic kinetic energy expressions given as {I am sorry for the format of the notations. It was inadvertently distorted.} KE=mc2 [1/sqrt(1-(v2/c2)) -1]...
  44. M

    Elastic collision with particles, find the kinetic energy

    Homework Statement A proton strikes a stationary alpha particle (4He nucleus) head-on. Assuming the collision is completely elastic, what fraction of the proton’s kinetic energy is transferred to the alpha particle? Homework Equations Pi = Pf Ki = Kf The Attempt at a Solution Tried finding...
  45. S

    Pulley System Part c: Homework Statement & Relevant Equation

    Homework Statement 2. Relevant equationThe Attempt at a Solution ...[/B] Part c) I'm confused as to how the actual pulley system works. If its balanced wouldn't it be stationary. How does it move? I thought that since its balanced the acceleration of the system is constant and therefore to...
  46. navneet9431

    Motion when Kinetic Friction is more than Static Friction

    Homework Statement How would the motion of the block look like when the Force of kinetic friciton is more than the Limiting value of static friction? Homework Equations Kinteic Friciton=μN The Attempt at a Solution I think the block after overcoming the limiting value of static friction will...
  47. CRuff

    Calculating kinetic energy turned into Pressure (Pascals) during an impact

    Hello, A silly question I'm sure, if a projectile moving at 13.59 m/s with a KE = 527.47 J hits an area of 3 cm^2, what is the force transfer to that area and the resultant pressure applied expressed in Pascals? Do I divide the KE by a volume instead of area to Pa?
  48. K

    4-derivative kinetic term Lagrangian

    Homework Statement Show that $$L=\phi\Box^2\phi$$ generates negative energy density. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The energy density is $$E=\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}}\dot{\phi}-L$$ Also the Lagrangian can be rewritten (using divergence theorem) as...
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