A 6.8-kilogram block is sliding down a horizontal, frictionless surface at a constant speed of 6.0 meters per second. The kinetic energy of the block is approximately what?
The kinetic energy of an object can be calculated using the formula:
Kinetic Energy = 0.5 * mass * velocity^2
Given that the mass of the block is 6.8 kilograms and the velocity is 6.0 meters per second, we can substitute these values into the formula:
Kinetic Energy = 0.5 * 6.8 kg * 6.0 m/s^2
Simplifying the equation:
Kinetic Energy = 0.5 * 40.8 kg*m^2/s^2
Using SI unit conventions, 1 Joule (J) is equal to 1 kg*m^2/s^2. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the block is approximately:
Kinetic Energy ≈ 0.5 * 40.8 J
Kinetic Energy ≈ 20.4 J
Thus, the kinetic energy of the block is approximately 20.4 Joules.