Does v represent speed in kinetic energy formula?

[Mr Davis 97]

Since kinetic energy is in is a scalar quantity in joules, then is the v in (1/2)mv² speed or velocity?

 

[jbriggs444]

Since kinetic energy is in is a scalar quantity in joules, then is the v in (1/2)mv² speed or velocity?

Either will work. If it is taken as a scalar then you would use scalar multiplication to compute v² If it is taken as a vector then the vector dot product $v{\cdot}v$ will produce the same result.