Mechanics
Kinetic Energy
Energy possessed by an object due to its motion.
Variables
KEJ
Kinetic energy
Energy of motion
In SI units: kg·m²/s²
Allowed values: 0 or more
mkg
Mass
Mass of object
Allowed values: 0 or more
vm/s
Velocity
Speed of object
Derivation
From work-energy theorem: W = ∫F dx = ½mv².
Your notes
0/5000
Check value
Round inputs run through this page's calculator. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.
- m = 2 kg (Mass)
- v = 3 m/s (Velocity)
Result: KE = 9 J
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Power (Work & Energy) shares Velocity
- Velocity (Kinematics) shares Velocity
- Drag Force (Dynamics) shares Velocity
- Momentum (Momentum) shares Velocity
- Rolling Kinetic Energy (Rotational Motion) shares Velocity
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Work & Energy, alongside Spring Potential Energy and Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Work and before Gravitational Potential Energy.
- Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Kinetic Energy formula?
Kinetic Energy is written KE = (1/2)mv². Energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It belongs to Mechanics, under Work & Energy.
What are the units in KE = (1/2)mv²?
In SI units, KE is kinetic energy, measured in kg·m²/s²; m is mass, measured in kg; v is velocity, measured in m/s.
How is the Kinetic Energy formula derived?
From work-energy theorem: W = ∫F dx = ½mv². The result is KE = (1/2)mv².