Kinetic Energy

physics · motion · energy

Motion creates energy. When something moves, it has kinetic energy. A rolling ball, a speeding car, or even you running down the street all have kinetic energy because they're in motion.

Speed matters most. The faster something moves, the more kinetic energy it has. A car going 60 miles per hour has way more kinetic energy than a car going 10 miles per hour.

Heavy things pack more power. A heavy bowling ball rolling toward pins has more kinetic energy than a light tennis ball rolling at the same speed. The weight of an object makes a big difference.

Energy needs to stop. When something with kinetic energy hits the brakes or crashes into something, all that energy has to go somewhere, which is why collisions can be so dramatic.

Energy in constant use. Kinetic energy powers so many things in our world, from wind turbines spinning in the breeze to waves crashing on the shore to a skateboard zooming down a ramp.