Kinetic energy is determined by an object's...

Kinetic energy is determined by an object's...

• A. Mass only
• B. Velocity only
• C. Mass and velocity
• D. Height

Answer: (C)

Kinetic energy comes from motion, so it depends on both how much stuff is moving and how fast it's moving. The formula KE = 1/2 m v^2 shows this clearly: mass scales energy linearly, while velocity is squared, making speed have a strong influence. Double the speed and KE quadruples; double the mass at the same speed and KE doubles. Height relates to gravitational potential energy, not the energy of motion, so it doesn’t determine kinetic energy. Hence, kinetic energy is determined by both mass and velocity.

Kinetic energy comes from motion, so it depends on both how much stuff is moving and how fast it's moving. The formula KE = 1/2 m v^2 shows this clearly: mass scales energy linearly, while velocity is squared, making speed have a strong influence. Double the speed and KE quadruples; double the mass at the same speed and KE doubles. Height relates to gravitational potential energy, not the energy of motion, so it doesn’t determine kinetic energy. Hence, kinetic energy is determined by both mass and velocity.