Kinetic Energy Examples


A series of free GCSE/IGCSE Physics Notes and Lessons.

In these lessons, we will

  • Describe what is meant by kinetic energy.
  • Calculate kinetic energy for a moving object.



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Energy Transfers
Mechanical, Potential and Kinetic Energy
Elastic Potential Energy
Lessons for IGCSE Physics

Kinetic Energy

The following diagram shows the formula for kinetic energy. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions on how to use the formula.

Kinetic Energy Formula

Kinetic energy is the energy stored in moving objects.
Stationary objects have no kinetic energy.

Ek = 0.5 × m × v2

Examples:

  1. A car with a mass of 700 kg is moving with a speed of 20m/s. Calculate the kinetic energy of the car.
  2. A cyclist and bike have a total mass of 100 kg and a speed of 15 m/s. Calculate the kinetic energy.
  3. A tennis ball is traveling at 50 m/s and has a kinetic energy of 75 J. Calculate the mass of the tennis ball.



Kinetic Energy - IGCSE Physics

Calculations using the kinetic energy formula.

Examples:

  1. A 30 gram bullet travels at 300 m/s. How much kinetic energy does it have?
  2. A 70kg man runs at a pace of 4 m/s and a 50g meteor travels at 2 km/s. Which has the most kinetic energy?.
  3. A 5000kg truck has 400000J of kinetic energy. How fast is it moving?
  4. A car traveling at 10 m/s has 200000J of kinetic energy. What is the mass of the car?

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
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