If mass (m) is constant in the formula below, what will happen to the kinetic energy (KE) if velocity (v) is doubled?
KE= 1/2 mv^2
If velocity (v) is doubled, it will be squared in the formula for kinetic energy (KE). Therefore, the kinetic energy (KE) will increase four times.
If the mass (m) in the formula KE = 1/2 mv^2 is constant, and the velocity (v) is doubled, we can determine the effect on the kinetic energy (KE) by substituting the new value into the equation:
KE = 1/2 m(2v)^2
Simplifying this gives us:
KE = 1/2 m(4v^2)
Further simplifying, we have:
KE = 2mv^2
Therefore, when the velocity (v) is doubled, the kinetic energy (KE) will increase by a factor of 4.