Kinetic energy results from
a) displacement
b) friction
c) velocity
d) gravity
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is c) velocity.
Explanation:
Kinetic energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. The formula to calculate kinetic energy is:
[
KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2
]
Where:
- ( KE ) is the kinetic energy.
- ( m ) is the mass of the object.
- ( v ) is the velocity (speed with a directional component) of the object.
As seen in the formula, kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of an object’s velocity. This means that the faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it will have. If an object’s velocity is doubled, its kinetic energy will increase by a factor of four (since ( v^2 ) increases exponentially).
Why Not Other Choices?
- a) Displacement: Displacement refers to the change in an object’s position from one point to another. Although displacement is related to motion, it is not the direct cause of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy depends specifically on how fast the object is moving (velocity), not just the change in position.
- b) Friction: Friction is a force that resists motion, and while it can convert kinetic energy into heat, it does not create or determine kinetic energy. In fact, friction tends to reduce the kinetic energy of moving objects by dissipating it as thermal energy.
- d) Gravity: Gravity is a force that acts on objects, pulling them toward the center of the Earth. While gravity is responsible for potential energy (stored energy due to an object’s height), it does not directly influence kinetic energy. However, when an object falls under the influence of gravity, it can gain kinetic energy as it accelerates.
In summary, kinetic energy is fundamentally tied to the velocity of an object, which explains why the correct answer is c) velocity. The faster the object moves, the greater its kinetic energy.