Loading...
Kinetic Energy Calculator
Calculate kinetic energy, mass, or velocity using KE = \u00BDmv\u00B2. Includes relativistic and rotational kinetic energy.
Formula:KE = ½mv²
Results
Kinetic Energy500.0000 J
Energy (SI)500.0000 J
Mass10.0000 kg
Velocity10.0000 m/s
KE = \u00BDmv\u00B2
Kinetic energy calculation
Kinetic Energy
500.00 J
Calculated
Energy
500.00 J
0.1195 kcal
Mass
10.00 kg
Velocity
10.00 m/s
36.0 km/h
Kinetic Energy Calculation
1
Identify the formula
KE = (1/2)mv²
2
Convert mass to SI units
m = 10 kg = 10 kg
3
Convert velocity to SI units
v = 10 m/s = 10 m/s
4
Substitute into formula
KE = (1/2) × 10 kg × (10 m/s)²
5
Calculate result
KE = 500 J
Final: 500 J
Energy Conversions
Joules
500.0 J
Kilojoules
0.5000 kJ
Megajoules
0.0005000 MJ
Calories
119.5 cal
Kilocalories (food calories)
0.1195 kcal
British Thermal Units
0.4739 BTU
Foot-pounds
368.8 ft-lb
Watt-hours
0.1389 Wh
Quick Answer
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion: KE = ½mv². A 1 kg object moving at 10 m/s has kinetic energy of 50 J. Doubling velocity quadruples kinetic energy because velocity is squared.
Key Facts
- Kinetic Energy formula: KE = ½mv² (half mass times velocity squared)
- KE is always positive (mass and v² are always positive)
- Doubling velocity quadruples kinetic energy
- Doubling mass only doubles kinetic energy
- At relativistic speeds: KE = (γ - 1)mc² where γ is Lorentz factor
- Rotational KE: KE_rot = ½Iω² (moment of inertia times angular velocity squared)
Frequently Asked Questions
Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. The formula KE = ½mv² shows that kinetic energy depends on both mass and the square of velocity.
Velocity is squared because the work needed to accelerate an object increases with speed. It takes more energy to accelerate from 10 to 20 m/s than from 0 to 10 m/s.
At speeds approaching the speed of light, classical KE = ½mv² becomes inaccurate. The relativistic formula KE = (γ - 1)mc² accounts for mass increase at high speeds.
Rotating objects have rotational kinetic energy: KE_rot = ½Iω², where I is moment of inertia and ω is angular velocity. A rolling ball has both translational and rotational KE.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
Results
Kinetic Energy500.0000 J
Energy (SI)500.0000 J
Mass10.0000 kg
Velocity10.0000 m/s