Kinetic Energy & Mass

Question

An object has more kinetic energy when it has _____ mass.

a. less

b. the same

c. more

Answer 1

Hi Jillian L.,

Kinetic energy is equal to the mass of an object times half of the velocity squared, k_e = 1/2*m*v². A change in kinetic energy, is a change in mass, or velocity, or both. We are asked about mass, so we can assume the velocity is constant and set 1/2*v² equal to some constant (c).

We end up with, k_e = c*m, and we can see that an increase in mass is directly proportional to an increase in kinetic energy, and a decrease in mass will decrease kinetic energy.

Have fun! I hope this helps, Joe.