How is kinetic energy (KE) calculated?

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. The correct formula for calculating kinetic energy is given by one-half of the mass of the object multiplied by the square of its velocity, which is expressed mathematically as KE = 1/2 mv².

In this formula, "m" represents the mass of the object, while "v" represents its velocity. The reason the velocity is squared is that kinetic energy increases exponentially with an increase in speed; if an object doubles its speed, its kinetic energy increases by a factor of four. This reflects the fundamental concept that more massive and/or faster-moving objects have greater kinetic energy, which is crucial in understanding how energy is transferred and transformed during collisions and other interactions in physical science.

The other options represent different formulas associated with various concepts. For instance, KE = mv would imply a direct proportionality to velocity without squaring it, which does not accurately reflect how kinetic energy behaves. The formula KE = mgh relates to gravitational potential energy rather than kinetic energy, while KE = ma expresses Newton's second law of motion and does not define energy. Each of these options pertains to different physical principles and calculations, highlighting the specific nature of the kinetic energy equation.