Kinetic Energy

Understanding Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy refers to a form of energy that represents motion. It can also be defined as scalar quantity which means that it possess magnitude but devoid of motion. This is so unlike momentum, force, velocity and acceleration. In essence, it can be described as a single magnitude. Due to this fact, it is always positive and this is clearly evidenced by the kinetic formula used to calculate kinetic energy. This is as follows.

Kinetic Energy = ½ mv2.
In this regard, M stands for body mass while v is used to denote speed found at the center part of the body.

How it is measured
Kinetic energy is always measured in accordance to the entity of the measured reference frame and in most cases it is clearly defined when used in physics. While this is the case, it is ideal to note that at any given time, the overall energy of an isolated object is not subject to change despite the type of frame used for measurement purposes. This type of energy employs a lot of science and while this might be the case, it is used every single day whether knowingly or unknowingly. In essence, it is known for its regular usage when carrying out different types of work.

Derivation of Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is closely associated with work. This refers to the scalar product as well as displacement of vector which is often applied wherever force is applied. During derivation, equations for basic kinematics are used and this refers to the rate with which an object changes its speed. As such, the kinetic formula can be derived using the equation x –x0. However, when considering the speed the equations will end up been v2 =vo2 +2as in which the equation outlined earlier is replaced by the terms.
There are several calculations used to arrive to the kinetic energy used by any object and while this is the case, the most important aspect lies in the final equation. Consequently, the ultimate kinetic energy which is also known as EK is defined using the following equation.

K= 0.5 mv2.
There are a couple of things that need to be noted from the kinetic formula above and these include the following.

>   For starters, the quantity is always a non-zero.
>   When the object possesses mass and is in motion, the scalar is positive.
>   In instances when the object is without mass or when its resting, it will be zero

Considering all the facts stated above, kinetic formula cannot be used to determine the direction of the motion. However, it is used to indicate the speed and it is this fact that makes it one of the most trusted forms of energy. Basically, everything that is in movement used kinetic energy and this includes vehicles, trains, people and any other moving objects. What is more, if the right technology is used, it is possible to tap into this energy and store it for better use.

Relationship between Work and Kinetic Energy
There is a close relationship between work and kinetic energy and the sooner people learn about the same, the easier it is to tap into the same. Considering this derivation K= 0.5 mv2 it is clear to se that there is a close relation between the work carried out and the kinetic energy used. In this instance, the external force of any particle is calculated on the basis of the external force it projects. When this is broken down mathematically, you get the following equation:

W = K2-K1 = delta-K

Uses of Kinetic Energy
There are several ways through which kinetic energy is used. It is not only used in the home front but also for the purposes of science and in the industrial sector. With the increasing demand for energy, it is only ideal that this form should be put to good use. For this reason, some of the major ways through which kinetic energy is used include the following.
For starters, this type of energy is never used alone but rather together with other forms. For instance, it can be used in conjunction with potential gravitational energy. This makes it easy to picture any object in motion and what is more, the rule of energy conservation is employed here. This translates to the understanding that any form of energy in an enclosed system has the ability to remain constant.
Different types of machines and people alike are known to give off a high percentage of kinetic energy. This is on a day to day basis and when this is added up, it translates to high amounts of unused energy. It is therefore deemed important to tap into the same and ensure that it is put to good use. It is for this reasons that science is still been employed to find ways of converting the same into useful energy. Currently, it is used for the purposes of lighting and powering other systems.
Kinetic energy is also transferred to trains that need energy to move while in other instances, it is converted and stored for the purpose of future use.
It is also used to design shock absorbers in cars. This makes it easy for the car to absorb energy and lowers the energy used by the engine making it more fuel efficient. In connection to this the kinetic energy is also used for the purposes of air conditioning, seat warming and CD playing among others and this also goes a long way to lower the fuel costs.
It is important to note that the uses of kinetic energy are not limited to the above but rather, there are several scientific studies which are been carried out to ensure that the most is gotten from this venture.

Benefits of Kinetic Energy
There are several benefits associated with kinetic energy and in order to understand the same, it is advisable to explore them. They can either be practical, economical or environmental depending on the approach one takes. These are as highlighted below though they are not limited to the same.
Kinetic energy gives off liquid propellants which are better compared to their solid counterparts. This is because they are known to offer better thrust capabilities and it is attributed to the issuance of oxygen and some liquid hydrogen. These two are known as the best propellants. What is more, it also gives off oxygen which burns hydrogen and this delivers heat energy.
With kinetic energy, it is considerably easy to carry out various activities. For instance, when someone is jumping off a cliff, the energy used is kinetic. In essence, this delivers a higher sense of excitement in life when compared to other sources of energy. Potential energy for instance is stored up for future use.
Kinetic energy makes it easy for people to understand the physics behind how different types of mass move and for this reason, it is considered a great addition to the exploration of science.
It is only by learning about the different uses of kinetic energy, benefits and how it can be put to good use that it becomes increasingly easy to use using the energy. Whether it is students seeking to learn more about this or adults, these principles are of great use.