The Power of Kinetic Energy to the EK=1/2*m*v^2 Formula

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the kinetic energy formula EK=1/2*m*v^2 and its derivation. The derivation involves understanding how work is done to accelerate an object using Newton's second law and the definition of work. The key steps include relating force, mass, and acceleration, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the work done to reach a certain velocity is equal to the kinetic energy. There is also a mention of the challenge in clarifying the actual questions or misunderstandings of those learning physics. Understanding the underlying concepts is essential for effective explanation.
Miran97
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Hi!
The kinetic formula are EK=1/2*m*v^2. But how do we find it?
 
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What do you mean? (How you would find the kinetic energy in a particular problem will depend on the details of that problem.)
 
Maybe he/she meant to ask how the formula is derived.
 
The simplest derivation is to consider how much work is done to accelerate an object to velocity v. Let's say we use constant force to accelerate the object over some distance d.

F = ma -> a = F/m (From Newton's 2nd)

W = F*d (From definition of work.)

v² = 2*a*d (Let us know if you need help deriving this one, but you should have seen it.)

Putting it all together.

v² = 2*d*a = 2*d*(F/m) = 2*(d*F)/m = 2*W/m

W = (m*v²)/2

So the amount of work required to accelerate (or decelerate, for that matter) an object of mass m to velocity v is (1/2)*m*v². Hence the Kinetic Energy.
 
Anyone else want to guess what the OP's real question was? :biggrin:
 
Doc Al said:
Anyone else want to guess what the OP's real question was? :biggrin:
I've always found that to be the real challenge of explaining physics to someone. Once you understand what it is that the person actually wants to know or doesn't understand, explaining it is easy.
 
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