Which equation represents kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. The formula that represents kinetic energy is derived from the work-energy principle. Specifically, kinetic energy (KE) is calculated using the mass (m) of the object and the square of its velocity (v).

The correct equation, which is expressed as KE = 1/2 mv^2, shows that kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity. This indicates that if an object's speed doubles, its kinetic energy increases by a factor of four, illustrating the significant impact of velocity on kinetic energy.

The other equations presented do not relate to kinetic energy. For example, mgh represents gravitational potential energy, which depends on an object's height and gravitational force. The expression F=ma relates to Newton's second law of motion, which connects force, mass, and acceleration but does not describe energy. Understanding the distinct contexts of these equations highlights why 1/2 mv^2 is indeed the correct representation of kinetic energy.