If a cars speed is doubled, how much has the K.E (kinetic energy) changed?
If the speed of a car is doubled, the kinetic energy (KE) increases by a factor of 4.
The formula for kinetic energy is given by: KE = (1/2) * m * v^2
Where:
KE = kinetic energy
m = mass of the object
v = velocity of the object
Doubling the speed means multiplying the velocity by 2. So, if the velocity is initially v, then after doubling it becomes 2v.
Plugging the new velocity into the kinetic energy formula:
New KE = (1/2) * m * (2v)^2
= (1/2) * m * 4v^2
= 2 * (1/2) * m * v^2
= 2 * KE
Therefore, if the speed is doubled, the kinetic energy changes by a factor of 2 or doubles.