kinetic energy

[ ki-net-ik en-er-jee, kahy-net-ik ]

noun

, Physics.

1. the energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles in the system. Compare potential energy.

kinetic energy

noun

1. the energy of motion of a body, equal to the work it would do if it were brought to rest The translational kinetic energy depends on motion through space, and for a rigid body of constant mass is equal to the product of half the mass times the square of the speed. The rotational kinetic energy depends on rotation about an axis, and for a body of constant moment of inertia is equal to the product of half the moment of inertia times the square of the angular velocity. In relativistic physics kinetic energy is equal to the product of the increase of mass caused by motion times the square of the speed of light. The SI unit is the joule but the electronvolt is often used in atomic physics EkKT KE

kinetic energy

/ kə-nĕt′ĭk /

1. The energy possessed by a system or object as a result of its motion. The kinetic energy of objects with mass is dependent upon the velocity and mass of the object, while the energy of waves depends on their velocity, frequency, and amplitude, as well as the density of the medium if there is one (as with ocean waves).
2. Compare potential energy

kinetic energy

1. The energy an object has because of its motion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kinetic energy¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

For a large chunk of its running time, there is a kinetic energy to the film that is a hoot, all the more impressive because it never loses the sense of portending darkness that we know we’re in store for.

From The Daily Beast

When the latch releases, potential energy stored between the spring and the latch converts to kinetic energy in an explosive, ultrafast motion.

From Popular-Science

It activates sensory neurons that alert the brain to the presence of actual heat, not the flavor of heat but real, kinetic energy heat.

From Popular-Science

As the ball rises, it slows down, as the kinetic energy inherent in its velocity is exchanged for potential energy in the form of increased altitude.

From Popular-Science

A flying mosquito’s kinetic energy, for example, is about 1 trillion electron volts.

From Science News

What looks like filthy chaos at the moment is actually the  kinetic energy that gives birth to modern metropolises.

From The Daily Beast

There was a kinetic energy, a vibrancy that leapt off the screen that did, indeed, dazzle.

From The Daily Beast

When a pendulum is vibrating, there is a continual transformation of potential into kinetic energy, and vice versa.

From Project Gutenberg

A cannon ball receives a large amount of kinetic energy from the exploded powder as it leaves the muzzle of a great gun.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the work done by external forces will be equal to the kinetic energy produced in the time considered.

From Project Gutenberg

The kinetic energy of these is deducted from the general energy of translation, and practically wasted.

From Project Gutenberg

The mass of fluid passing through the element of section ω, in θ seconds, is (G/g) ωvθ, and its kinetic energy is (G/2g) ωv3θ.

From Project Gutenberg