Kinetic Energy

Definition

The energy of a moving object, calculated as ½mv² where m is mass and v is velocity. Because velocity is squared, doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy, which is why a crash at 60 mph is four times as destructive as one at 30 mph, not twice. A 1,500 kg car traveling 30 m/s (67 mph) carries 675,000 joules of kinetic energy, the equivalent of falling from a 15-story building. The scaling law is the physical basis for every highway speed limit and vehicle crumple-zone standard.