Which statement about kinetic energy is true?

Which statement about kinetic energy is true?

• A. Kinetic energy is independent of velocity.
• B. Kinetic energy increases with mass and velocity.
• C. Kinetic energy is always greater than potential energy.
• D. Kinetic energy is the energy stored due to height.

Answer: (B)

Kinetic energy measures the energy of motion and depends on both how heavy an object is and how fast it’s moving, described by KE = 1/2 m v^2. Because velocity is squared, changes in speed have a strong effect on KE, and increasing mass at the same speed also raises KE. For example, doubling the speed makes KE four times larger, while doubling the mass at the same speed doubles KE. This is why the statement that kinetic energy increases with mass and velocity is the true description. The other ideas don’t fit: kinetic energy isn’t independent of velocity, since it directly involves velocity. It isn’t always greater than potential energy, as the two can vary relative to position and motion. And energy stored due to height refers to potential energy, not kinetic.

Kinetic energy measures the energy of motion and depends on both how heavy an object is and how fast it’s moving, described by KE = 1/2 m v^2. Because velocity is squared, changes in speed have a strong effect on KE, and increasing mass at the same speed also raises KE. For example, doubling the speed makes KE four times larger, while doubling the mass at the same speed doubles KE. This is why the statement that kinetic energy increases with mass and velocity is the true description.

The other ideas don’t fit: kinetic energy isn’t independent of velocity, since it directly involves velocity. It isn’t always greater than potential energy, as the two can vary relative to position and motion. And energy stored due to height refers to potential energy, not kinetic.