Meaning of kinetic energy (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Kinetic Energy:

Kinetic energy is a form of energy, known as motion energy. The kinetic energy of an object is that produced due to its movements that depends on its mass and speed. Kinetic energy is usually abbreviated with the letters " Ec" or " Ek" . The kinetic word is of Greek origin " kinesis " which means "movement ".

The kinetic energy is represented through the following formula: Ec = ½ mv². The kinetic energy is measured in Joules (J), the mass in kilograms (kg) and the speed in meters over seconds (m / s).

As such, kinetic energy is linked to other concepts in physics such as: work, force and energy. Energy can only be called kinetic when the object is in motion and, when colliding with another, it can move it causing work, and force can be referred to as the possibility that one body has to cause damage to another.

Once activation of the body is achieved, it can maintain its kinetic energy except if it applies negative or opposite work to the body of the magnitude of the kinetic energy to return it to its initial or resting state.

Kinetic energy can originate from other energies or be converted into other forms of energies. In the case of roller coaster cars, they reach kinetic energy when they are at the bottom of their trajectory, but this is transformed into gravitational potential energy when it begins to rise. Another example is through the kinetic energy that allows the movements of the propellers you can obtain electricity or water energy through the movement of water.

The kinetic energy is due to William Thomson better known as Lord Kelvin in 1849. The kinetic energy is not typical of our days since formerly there were windmills that were used for many activities, the main task being to grind wheat, this type of instruments makes use of kinetic energy.

Translation and rotation kinetic energy

The translational kinetic energy occurs when the parts of an object follow the same direction, for example: when walking, likewise, a body suspended at a certain height when being dropped transforms its gravitational potential energy into translational kinetic energy. In turn, the kinetic energy of rotation, as its name indicates, occurs when the parts of an object rotate, for example: a disk, a yo-yo.

Molecular kinetic energy

Molecular kinetic energy can be observed in matter molecules at normal temperatures that are in constant motion at high speed. By virtue of the Boltzmann distribution, the average of the translational kinetic energy of the molecules can be deduced.