Which object has the greatest kinetic energy?
A) a fast pitched baseball with a mass of .5 KG moving at 46.9 m/s
B) a locomotive engine with a mass of 205,000 KG moving 5 m/s
C) a person with a mass of 73 KG running 6 m/s
D) a truck with a mass of 3500 KG moving at 30 m/s
To determine which object has the greatest kinetic energy, we use the formula for kinetic energy:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 * mass * velocity^2
Let's calculate the kinetic energy for each object:
A) Baseball:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 * 0.5 kg * (46.9 m/s)^2 = 1/2 * 0.5 * 2200.61 = 550.15 J
B) Locomotive engine:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 * 205000 kg * (5 m/s)^2 = 1/2 * 205000 * 25 = 2562500 J
C) Person:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 * 73 kg * (6 m/s)^2 = 1/2 * 73 * 36 = 1314 J
D) Truck:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 * 3500 kg * (30 m/s)^2 = 1/2 * 3500 * 900 = 1,575,000 J
Based on the calculations, the object with the greatest kinetic energy is the locomotive engine (option B) with a kinetic energy of 2,562,500 J.