Kinetic Energy is defined as...

Kinetic Energy is defined as...

• A. Stored energy due to position
• B. Energy of motion
• C. Energy produced by chemical reactions
• D. The total energy of a system

Answer: (B)

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. When something moves, its mass and speed give it this energy, so a heavier object or one moving faster has more kinetic energy. The speed appears squared in the common formula KE = 1/2 m v^2, which means small increases in speed make a big difference in kinetic energy. This distinguishes it from potential energy, which is stored energy due to position. The total energy of a system includes both kinetic and potential energies (and possibly other forms), so kinetic energy is specifically the portion tied to motion. Chemical energy, on the other hand, is energy stored in chemical bonds and released during reactions, not energy of motion. So the energy of motion best describes kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. When something moves, its mass and speed give it this energy, so a heavier object or one moving faster has more kinetic energy. The speed appears squared in the common formula KE = 1/2 m v^2, which means small increases in speed make a big difference in kinetic energy. This distinguishes it from potential energy, which is stored energy due to position. The total energy of a system includes both kinetic and potential energies (and possibly other forms), so kinetic energy is specifically the portion tied to motion. Chemical energy, on the other hand, is energy stored in chemical bonds and released during reactions, not energy of motion. So the energy of motion best describes kinetic energy.