What is kinetic energy and examples

What is kinetic energy and examples

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Energy is something that surrounds us and is present in all places and daily activities, such as running, walking, taking the mobile phone or bicycle. Energy allows changes in bodies to occur, it is a property that can be transferred, transporting and storing, also to change from one form to another, to be kept in quantity although there is also a part that is lost. In this specific article we will focus on kinetic energy, one of the aspects of mechanical energy, together with potential energy.

If you want to know how kinetic energy works, do not stop reading this interesting ecology article in which we will explain in detail What is kinetic energy and examples simple to understand it better.

What is kinetic energy and how it occurs

Kinetic energy is that energy that a body has as a result of its movement. This energy depends on the mass of the body itself and also on its speed. This energy is the ability or work that makes it possible for an object to be in a state of rest, to being in motion with a certain speed.

Kinetic energy comes produced by the movement itself and is calculated through the Kinetic energy formula: Kinetic energy is equal to the product of mass (m) by square speed (V) and divided all by two. Simplified would be: Ec = ½ * mv²

For example, a body that is completely at rest presents a coefficient of kinetic energy of 0, when it is set in motion and accelerates, its kinetic energy will increase. However, for the body to return to the rest state, it must receive the same amount of energy that it received to get into motion, but negatively.

What is kinetic energy and examples - what is kinetic energy and how it occurs

Transformation of kinetic energy into electricity

Mechanical energy, in this case, kinetic energy becomes electricity through a machine which is called electric generator. The initial energy can be from different natural sources such as water or wind, which can produce movement for later, thanks to the generator, produce electricity.

Kinetic energy can be used to Generate electricity or heatan example of the passage of kinetic energy to electricity can be the dynamo of a bicycle, the movement that makes the wheel makes the dynamo turn and as a result the bicycle light is turned on. Another example, in the field of renewable energies, is the electrical energy that occurs in the mechanism used in wind energy. This basically what it does is transform the kinetic energy into electricity thanks to the movement made by the blades that are placed in the wind turbines.

Examples of kinetic energy

Next we will mention some examples of kinetic energy:

  • A person who goes in scooters: When a person takes a scooter to move it in motion, kinetic energy is immediately produced since the scooter is set in motion.
  • The fall of a glass vase: As gravity acts in the glass vase, kinetic energy accumulates in its body while it descends and ends up releasing when the vase reaches the ground or on another surface and breaks.
  • A ball that has been thrown: By putting our strength on a ball that is at rest, we will be accelerating it and this will travel a certain distance depending on the force that has been used. While the ball is in motion is generating kinetic energy.
  • A grievance on a hillside: The stone when falling down the slope will generate a kinetic energy that will depend on the mass of the stone and the speed that acquires during the fall.
  • Something as simple as walking: When we walk we are also generating kinetic energy, which can vary depending on the weight and speed with which we perform the action. For example, if instead of walking, we run, the energy generated will be a lot

What is kinetic energy and examples - examples of kinetic energy

Difference between kinetic and potential energy

There are different types of energy: thermal, nuclear, electromagnetic or mechanical, among others. Until now in this article we have talked about kinetic energy that is one of the aspects of mechanical energy. The other aspect of mechanical energy is potential energy. But what are the differences between kinetic energy and potential energy?

On the one hand, as we have already mentioned, the kinetic energy is the one with a body in terms of Your movement. On the other hand, the potential energy is the one with a body Due to the position in which it is locatedthat is, if this is in height it has more potential energy than another that is on the surface, so it indicates the energy in power.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is kinetic energy and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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