Calculator Suite

Kinetic Energy Calculator

Calculate kinetic energy, mass, or velocity using KE = ½mv²

Kinetic Energy Problem Setup
Use KE = ½mv² to solve for kinetic energy, mass, or velocity

Select which variable you want to calculate

Known Variables

Enter mass in kg

Enter velocity in m/s

Common Scenarios

Car Kinetic Energy

Energy of a car traveling at highway speed

Bullet Energy

High velocity, low mass example

Cyclist Speed

What speed for a given energy output?

Energy References

Walking: ~3J/kgRunning: ~50J/kgCar (city): ~200kJCar (highway): ~500kJ
Kinetic Energy Formula
Energy of motion - fundamental energy equation

The Equation

KE=12mv2KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2

KEKE = Kinetic energy (in Joules or foot-pounds)

mm = Mass (in kilograms or pounds-mass)

vv = Velocity (in m/s or ft/s)

Energy Concepts

Energy: The capacity to do work or cause change

Kinetic: Energy due to motion (moving objects)

Conservation: Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Transfer: Kinetic energy can convert to potential energy and vice versa

Velocity-Squared Effect

Kinetic energy scales with the square of velocity:

2× speed = 4× energy

3× speed = 9× energy

This explains why high-speed impacts are so destructive.

Real-World Applications

Vehicle Safety: Crash test energy analysis

Sports: Impact forces in athletics

Engineering: Machine design and energy storage

Ballistics: Projectile impact analysis

Space: Orbital mechanics and spacecraft

Kinetic Energy Calculator | Calculator Suite