kinetic energy
noun Physics.
the energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles in the system.
Compare
potential energy.
Origin of kinetic energy
First recorded in 1865–70
Words nearby kinetic energy
British Dictionary definitions for kinetic energy
kinetic energy
noun
the energy of motion of a body, equal to the work it would do if it were brought to rest The translational kinetic energy depends on motion through space, and for a rigid body of constant mass is equal to the product of half the mass times the square of the speed. The rotational kinetic energy depends on rotation about an axis, and for a body of constant moment of inertia is equal to the product of half the moment of inertia times the square of the angular velocity. In relativistic physics kinetic energy is equal to the product of the increase of mass caused by motion times the square of the speed of light. The SI unit is the joule but the electronvolt is often used in atomic physics
Symbol: E k, K, T Abbreviation: KE
Medical definitions for kinetic energy
kinetic energy
n.
The energy possessed by a body because of its motion, equal to one half the mass of the body times the square of its speed.
Scientific definitions for kinetic energy
kinetic energy
[ kə-nĕt′ĭk ]
The energy possessed by a system or object as a result of its motion. The kinetic energy of objects with mass is dependent upon the velocity and mass of the object, while the energy of waves depends on their velocity, frequency, and amplitude, as well as the density of the medium if there is one (as with ocean waves). Compare potential energy.