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How is kinetic energy calculated?

  1. KE = mass x acceleration.

  2. KE = 1/2 m x V2.

  3. KE = m x V.

  4. KE = force x distance.

The correct answer is: KE = 1/2 m x V2.

Kinetic energy, which is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, is calculated using the formula: KE = 1/2 m x V². In this equation, 'm' represents the mass of the object, and 'V' represents its velocity. The formula shows that kinetic energy is proportional to the mass of the object and the square of its velocity. This means that if either the mass increases or the velocity increases, the kinetic energy will increase as well, with velocity having a more significant impact due to the squaring of the velocity term. This formula effectively captures the relationship between an object’s motion and its energy, making it fundamental in mechanics, especially when analyzing how forces and motion interact in the physical world. Understanding this equation is essential for solving problems related to motion in physics and emergency situations where forces may need to be calculated or predicted.