An important topic when we study physics is energy.There are primarily two types of energy: Kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is generated when objects are in motion whereas potential energy is stored in an object.We have heard many names regarding energy. Thermal energy, mechanical energy, sound energy, radiant energy, chemical energy, and electrical energy. Kinetic energy comprises many of the above-mentioned types. The applications of kinetic energy can be easily seen in everyday life. Let us understand more about kinetic energy, who discovered it, and how it is calculated. This branch of physics is made easier with some examples of kinetic energy.After reading about the kinetic energy examples, also check facts about energy and 3 states of matter for kids.Definition Of Kinetic EnergyKinetic energy is defined as the energy produced because of the motion of a body. In order to move an object, you need to apply a certain force. After this force is applied the object is set to accelerate.Hence the application of force requires work and after that work is complete the energy generated gets transferred to the object which sets the object in motion at a constant velocity.In simple words, the energy transferred to the object after the completion of force is called kinetic energy. Kinetic energy depends on the speed and mass of the object that is set in motion. Let us further understand kinetic energy by some examples that we see in our everyday lives. These are some kinetic energy examples easily found outdoors as well as in our homes.Example one: An airplane has immense kinetic energy in flight. Since it has a faster velocity and a huge mass the kinetic energy generated is also huge.Example two: When you play baseball you throw the baseball in a certain direction with force. After you throw the ball, it will have a huge amount of kinetic energy. Even though the size of a baseball is small and hence the mass the kinetic energy will still be high because it will have high velocity.Example three: When an asteroid falls it has a huge amount of kinetic energy because it falls with a humongous speed.Example four: There are many vehicles that are in motion on the road. If a car and a truck are moving at the same velocity, the car has less kinetic energy than the truck. Because the mass of that car is less than the mass of the truck. The truck will have higher kinetic energy.Example five: When we are walking or running our body generates kinetic energy. The running water from the tap also has kinetic energy similar to the waterfall.Different Types Of Kinetic EnergyKinetic energy applies to all those objects that are set in motion. Anything that moves will have kinetic energy generated. However, there are different types of kinetic energy. The faster the rate of motion of an object the higher kinetic energy will be generated.Thermal EnergyThermal energy is also called heat energy. The internal energy of an object due to the motion and collision between atoms and molecules is defined as thermal energy. The universe is made up of matter. The matter is made up of atoms and molecules which are always in motion. This motion is not visible to our eyes. But we can feel the effects or sense the movement when we are in contact with it. When we go outside and if it is sunny we immediately feel warm. We cannot see the heat coming from the Sun but we can feel it on our eyes or skin. Thermal energy is produced when atoms and molecules collide with or against each other. The hotter objects will have atoms that move or vibrate faster and have higher kinetic energy. Hence they will generate more thermal energy. Thus thermal energy depends on the kinetic energy of the molecules and atoms within that object. For colder objects, the atoms have less kinetic energy and hence produce less thermal energy.Electrical EnergyThe energy of electrons in motion is called electrical energy. We saw how matter is made up of atoms. These atoms are made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons. The electrons move around the nucleus of an atom. When voltage or the external electric field is applied these electrons gain energy and break the bonding with the parent atom. Now it becomes a free electron. This energy possessed by a free electron is called electrical energy. Some great examples of electrical energy from everyday life are flashlights, lamps, traffic lights, and light bulbs.Radiant EnergyRadiant energy is nothing but the energy of electromagnetic radiation or light. This radiant energy travels through space or medium. Since kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Radiant energy travels through space and hence it is always in motion. Any object that has a temperature radiates heat i.e. gives off radiant energy. Examples are gamma rays, UV rays, X-rays, visible light, microwaves, radio waves, infrared radiation. In fact, the energy transmitted from the Sun to the Earth is also a great example of radiant energy. It travels at an extremely high speed in a straight line.Sound EnergyThe vibrations of an object also produce energy which is called sound energy. It travels through any medium and transfers energy from one particle to another. It can be heard when it reaches a person’s ear. When an object vibrates it transfers its energy to the surrounding particles and causes them to vibrate. The particles again collide with other particles and so on. Sound energy cannot travel through a vacuum. It can only travel through the air, water, and solid. Examples of sound energy include alarm, thunderstorm, vehicle’s horn, drum beat, crackers, and talking to people.Mechanical EnergyThere are two types of energy: kinetic energy and potential energy. Mechanical energy is the sum of their kinetic and potential energies. It cannot be created or destroyed but it gets converted into another form of energy. The faster the motion of an object higher is the energy created and stored. Thus wind is a great example of mechanical energy. Its natural movement is captured by turbines and converted into electrical energy. Hydropower stations use the mechanical energy of flowing water and convert it into electrical energy. Another example is when a bullet is fired it employs mechanical energy. The moment it hits the target the energy is transformed into heat.Kinetic Energy FormulaUnderstanding the concepts of kinetic energy is extremely important for the students of physics. Kinetic energy can be calculated by using the formulaKE = ½ mv2In the above equation, m = mass of a body or an object and v = velocity of an object or body. The mass of an object refers to the amount of matter contained by the object. It is denoted by m. The velocity of an object refers to the rate at which the object changes its position. It is denoted by v.Who first discovered kinetic energy?The kinetic energy was discovered first by Gottfried Leibniz and Johann Bernoulli who described it as a ‘living force’.In 1829, Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis developed the concept and wrote it on paper. Later Lord Kelvin and Thoms Young named it ‘kinetic energy. The word ‘kinetic’ comes from the Greek word ‘kinesis’ which simply means motion in English. The discovery of kinetic energy has been a boon for humankind and a vital contribution to the world of physics.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for two examples of kinetic energy to understand the science behind it then why not take a look at what is kinetic sand made of, or 3 magnetic metals.
An important topic when we study physics is energy.
