Energy can be generally defined as the ability to do work.All living beings require energy to perform various functions. Energy can be in different forms, potential and kinetic being the two primary forms of energy.The first law of thermodynamics, which is based on the law of conservation of energy, states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed and that it can only be transformed from one form to another. This transfer of energy can take place mainly through four distinct phases, which are mechanically, electrically, by radiation, and by heating. There are different forms of energy, including thermal energy, electrical energy, light energy, hydroelectric energy, kinetic energy, wind energy, heat energy, nuclear energy, tidal energy, and so on. However, the two broad categories are potential and kinetic energies. The first form is associated with the storage of energy, which gets converted into kinetic energy when the body is in motion. The sum of the kinetic and potential energy is called mechanical energy. In this article, we will discuss kinetic energy and its various forms in detail.Are you enjoying the read? Then don’t forget to check out eye colors and types of cacti here at Kidadl.Kinetic Energy Definition And ExamplesIn order to move a body, we need to apply force. Work is done upon applying a force. Work done is the product of force and the displacement of the body. Energy is transformed in the body when work is done on it. Thus, the object which was initially at rest with stored potential energy will start to move by transforming this potential energy into kinetic energy. Therefore, kinetic energy is defined as the energy possessed by a body due to its motion.Kinetic energy depends on two factors, which are the mass of the body and the velocity with which the body moves. The greater the mass of the body, the more kinetic energy it will have in it. The velocity of the body is also directly proportional to the kinetic energy.Mathematically, the value of the kinetic energy of the body can be derived from the product of half of the mass and square of the velocity. Since there is no particular direction in which the body moves, kinetic energy is considered a scalar quantity. It is solely described by its magnitude. Different kinetic energy examples are discussed here for your better understanding.When comparing a truck and a car which are traveling at the same speed, it is seen that the truck will always possess more kinetic energy owing to the greater mass of the truck.A flowing river is also known to possess kinetic energy because of a certain mass and velocity with which the river is flowing. Its energy can be converted into electrical energy by hydroelectric dams.Similarly, an asteroid crashing down to the Earth has greater kinetic energy due to the immense velocity with which it is falling. This high velocity is contributed by the gravitational pull of the Earth, which acts upon the asteroid once it hits the Earth’s atmosphere, thereby exerting a tremendous force to pull it downwards.Revolving planets around the Sun also possess kinetic energy. This energy is the result of gravitational potential energy. The larger mass of the Sun generates larger gravitational energy with which planets are drawn towards the center.An airplane is known to possess more kinetic energy in flight due to a greater velocity.Different Types Of Kinetic Energy With ExamplesThere are five main classification types of kinetic energy, which are radiant energy, thermal energy, sound energy, electrical energy, and mechanical energy.Radiant energy travels through a medium or space. It is also called electromagnetic energy. Any energy which imparts heat and travels through electromagnetic waves is considered radiant energy. Various examples of radiant energy are ultraviolet, X rays, gamma rays, visible light, infrared rays, radio waves, and microwaves. Also, solar energy which is transmitted to all planets is a form of radiant energy. It travels in a straight line with an extremely high speed. Other forms of radiant energy are an incandescent light bulb, and an electric toaster in which the internal elements heat up, thereby imparting radiant energy to toast the bread. It also results in generating thermal energy.Thermal energy, also called heat energy, is due to the collision of atoms and molecules that make up the body. Matter is made up of atoms and molecules, which are in constant motion. Thermal energy is generated when these tiny particles undergo collision with each other. The thermal energy of an object is based upon the kinetic energy of these particles. Objects having a higher temperature are known to possess more kinetic energy, owing to the faster vibration of the particles.Geothermal energy develops from the radioactive decay of materials and is stored in the Earth’s crust. Geysers and volcanic eruptions are good examples of this energy. This energy is stored and transformed into electrical energy.Sound energy is a form of energy that requires a medium to travel. Sound waves are produced from vibrating bodies - the energy transfers from the oscillations of the vibrating particles that gradually decrease with the increase in distance.Electrical energy is produced when electrons flow in a conductor. The natural movement of electrons in conductors generates current electricity. The stored chemical potential energy in a battery transforms into electrical energy as electrons flow in it. The same pattern is seen in electric eels, which can produce electricity of 500 volts. Nuclear energy is also used to generate electricity.Mechanical energy is the combination of potential and kinetic energy. Springs and rubber bands possess elastic potential energy. This elastic energy of an object is converted into kinetic or motion energy upon being stretched. The gravitational energy of an object is seen when it is at a height. This stored energy or gravitational potential energy gets converted into kinetic energy as soon as the object starts falling to the ground.In fact, chemical reactions that take place in cells of all organisms convert the energy from food and light into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of all living beings. Light energy from the Sun is used by plants to produce their own food.Depending upon its motion, kinetic energy can be classified into three types, which are translational, rotational, and vibrational. Translational kinetic energy is in objects having motion in a straight line. An example is a train moving on a track in a straight line. Rotational kinetic energy is in objects that rotate about an axis, for example, the wheel of a car. Vibrational kinetic energy is in objects that vibrate. Vibrational energy examples are the vibration of a phone and a drum.What types of kinetic (thermal) energy does vapor have?Vapor possesses vibrational kinetic energy. It is thermal energy that is related to the molecular velocity. The intermolecular force of attraction in gases is negligible, and hence more vibration of the gaseous particles is observed with an increase in temperature.During this process, the molecules in the liquid phase get heated up, and thus, their motion increases. This results in the conversion of the potential energy of the liquid into kinetic energy, and thereafter, steam or vapor evolves. Fossil fuels are used in combustion, thereby generating heat energy, which in turn heats up the molecules in the liquid, resulting in kinetic energy production. Thermal energy helps in the process of speeding up the motion of the molecules.The accepted SI unit of kinetic energy is the joule, and the centimetre–gram–second (CGS) unit is erg. Sound energy, radiant energy, elastic energy, and all other forms of energy have the same SI unit.Mechanical energy, which is the sum of potential and kinetic energy, also has the SI unit the joule. The energy is stored in molecules or compounds which form chemical bonds. This form of potential energy can be transformed into a different form of energy, for example, thermal energy or radiant energy.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what are the different types of kinetic energy then why not take a look at 19 facts about animals in Saudi Arabia or 17 Viking women facts.
Energy can be generally defined as the ability to do work.
