Calculating Kinetic Energy for an Object Moving at 24 m/s with a Mass of 1200 kg

In physics, understanding the concept of kinetic energy is crucial for analyzing motion. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. The formula to calculate the kinetic energy (KE) of an object is given by:

Understanding the Formula

The formula for kinetic energy is:

Figure 1: The formula for kinetic energy, ( KE frac{1}{2}mv^2 )

Where:

m is the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). v is the speed of the object in meters per second (m/s).

Given Values

Let's take an example of an object with a mass of 1200 kg moving at a speed of 24 m/s. We need to calculate the kinetic energy of this object.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Identify the mass and speed: Mass (( m )) 1200 kg Speed (( v )) 24 m/s Calculate the square of the speed: ( v^2 24 , text{m/s}^2 ) ( v^2 576 , text{m}^2/text{s}^2 ) Substitute the values into the formula: ( KE frac{1}{2} times 1200 , text{kg} times 576 , text{m}^2/text{s}^2 ) Perform the multiplication: ( KE 600 times 576 , text{kg} cdot text{m}^2/text{s}^2 ) ( KE 345600 , text{J} )

Therefore, the kinetic energy of the object is 345600 joules.

Important Points to Remember

The formula for kinetic energy is ( KE frac{1}{2}mv^2 ). The result should be expressed in joules (J). Always use the correct units (mass in kg, speed in m/s) to ensure the final answer is in joules.

Note: This example demonstrates the calculation of kinetic energy for an object moving in a horizontal direction. In scenarios where the object is moving up a slope, additional considerations such as potential energy must be taken into account.