Physics GCSE
Kinetic energy
What Kinetic energy means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Kinetic energy
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Reference: OCR
The energy associated with a moving body, given by E_k = ½ × m × v², with mass in kilograms and speed in metres per second, giving joules.
Given by ½ m v², it is greater for a lorry because of its greater mass, so a given braking force needs a longer distance to remove it.
Stored energy calculated from mass and speed, squaring the speed before multiplying by half the mass.
The energy a moving object stores because of its motion, measured in joules (J).
Given by ½ m v², so the greater the speed of a vehicle the greater this is.
Topics that use Kinetic energy
- Factors affecting braking distance 2 (AQA GCSE)
- Stopping distance (AQA GCSE)
- Motion (OCR GCSE)
- Newton's laws (OCR GCSE)
- Work done (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- deceleration
- Force, mass and acceleration
- Gravitational potential energy
- Vector
- work done
- work done by a force
- Acceleration
- Accurate reading of scales
Using Kinetic energy in the exam
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