What type of energy is associated with an object's motion?

Kinetic energy is the form of energy that is directly associated with the motion of an object. It is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its velocity. The mathematical expression for kinetic energy is given by the formula ( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ), where ( m ) is the mass of the object and ( v ) is its velocity. The faster an object moves, or the more massive it is, the greater its kinetic energy.

In contrast, potential energy relates to the position or state of an object rather than its motion. Thermal energy is associated with the internal energy of the object's particles and is related to temperature. Mechanical energy is the sum of potential and kinetic energy within a system. Thus, while mechanical energy can involve both types, the specific energy associated directly with motion is clearly defined as kinetic energy.