Energy Calculator

Calculate kinetic energy, potential energy, and total mechanical energy for physics problems.

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About Energy

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is calculated using the formula: KE = ½mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. The faster an object moves or the more massive it is, the more kinetic energy it has.

Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. It is calculated using: PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² on Earth), and h is height above a reference point.

Conservation of Energy

In a closed system with no external forces, the total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) remains constant. As an object falls, potential energy converts to kinetic energy, and vice versa when it rises.

Units

• Energy: J (Joules), where 1 J = 1 kg·m²/s²
• Mass: kg (kilograms), g (grams), lb (pounds)
• Velocity: m/s (meters per second), km/h, mph
• Height: m (meters), km, ft (feet)
• Acceleration: m/s² (meters per second squared)

Examples

• A 2 kg ball moving at 10 m/s has KE = ½(2)(10²) = 100 J
• A 5 kg object at 20 m height has PE = 5(9.81)(20) = 981 J
• A 1000 kg car at 60 km/h (16.67 m/s) has KE = ½(1000)(16.67²) ≈ 138,889 J

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