Read through the scenarios below and calculate the predicted change in kinetic energy of the object compared to a 50 kg ball traveling at 10 m/s. A 50 kg ball traveling at 20 m/s would have kinetic energy. A 50 kg ball traveling at 5 m/s would have kinetic energy. A 50 kg person falling at 10 m/s would have kinetic energy.

A 50 kg ball traveling at 20 m/s would have 4 times more kinetic energy.

A 50 kg ball traveling at 5 m/s would have 4 times less kinetic energy.

A 50 kg person falling at 10 m/s would have the same kinetic energy.

Why?

Because:

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The formula for kinetic energy is KE = (1/2) (mass) (speed²)

= = The 50 kg ball traveling at 10 m/s has some kinetic energy.

= = A 50 kg ball traveling at 20 m/s would be moving at double the speed. So it would have (2) ² = 4 times as much kinetic energy.

= = A 50 kg ball traveling at 5 m/s would be moving at 1/2 the speed. So it would have (1/2) ² = 1/4 as much kinetic energy.

= = A 50 kg person falling at 10 m/s would have exactly the same amount of kinetic energy as the 50 kg ball traveling at 10 m/s.