To understand examples of kinetic energy in our daily lives, you must first understand the definition of kinetic energy. You will find that any object that is moving in front of your eyes will possess kinetic energy. Basically, It is the energy anything has when in motion. The smallest flying butterfly and the gigantic blue whale wandering in the ocean are examples of kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy Definition
Kinetic energy is an object’s energy due to its motion. It is defined as the work done by a force to change the velocity of an object from one state to another.
Formula
In physics, kinetic energy is defined as ½ mv². Here, M means mass, and V means velocity. This means how much kinetic energy an object will have during motion depends on its mass. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it will have.
For Better Understanding
If a car runs at 60 mph, its kinetic energy will be four times that of a similar car running at 30 mph, increasing the chances of damage four times.
Simple three examples of kinetic energy are moving cars, running and walking, and flying airplanes.
It does not matter whether the object moves forward, backward, spins, or even vibrates. As long as it moves, it has kinetic energy. The simple definition of kinetic energy will make it easier to spot the examples in the same space you are in. Just see the various objects available around that are examples of kinetic energy. These objects, which you would never consider anything special, will now look much more fascinating.
You can even further classify the kinetic energy contained within the objects into any one form of kinetic energy with the help of knowledge derived from this blog.
Some Important Things to Remember about Kinetic Energy
There are some things about kinetic energy you should know about. These facts will bring more fun to you while identifying things possessing kinetic energy. First and foremost, you should know how does kinetic energy work? Every object contains potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy when in motion.
Difference between Potential and Kinetic Energy
- Kinetic energy is an object’s energy in motion. On the other side, potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to any position or state it is in.
- The formula of Kinetic energy is KE= ½ mv². The formula of potential energy is mgh.
- Kinetic energy example: vibrational energy. Potential energy example: gravitational potential energy.
Transformation of Kinetic Energy
This kinetic energy can also be passed from one moving object to another stationary object when it touches it, which in turn starts to move. Just imagine you are in the bowling alley, and the ball hits the pins, and they fall. The moving ball containing kinetic energy hits the pins, which get in motion as the kinetic energy gets passed on to it making it fall.
Units
You need to also learn about the units of kinetic energy. Once you have grasped the concept of how does kinetic energy work, it will be much better for you to use it to calculate the kinetic energy possessed by any object. To calculate kinetic energy, it’s required to remember one of the most uncomplicated formulas in all your science lessons. As kinetic energy equals = ½ × m × v2, where m mass of an object and v is its speed, both are directly proportional to KE. This is the simple formula for kinetic energy. The kinetic energy generally measured in joules is the SI unit. You can also use erg (CGS unit) or N/m (MKS unit).
More Interesting Facts
- Kinetic energy must be a positive value or zero always. Velocity may be of positive or negative value, but velocity squared is never negative.
- It is not a vector. If you throw a tennis ball with 5 m/s velocity to the right, its kinetic energy will be the same as that tossed down with the same velocity.
What has kinetic Energy?
Kinetic energy can be stored in several ways, such as in springs, chemical bonds, and electromagnetic fields. Kinetic energy is often associated with movement but can also be associated with an object’s tendency to move. For example, when a ball rolls down a hill and then up the other side, its kinetic energy gradually decreases as its potential energy changes into gravitational potential energy. Things that have Kinetic energy are always moving. Kinetic Energy is an expression of the total amount of work done on an object or system since it was put in motion or started moving.
Kinetic energy is transferrable between objects. Objects with kinetic energy are called “kinetic” objects, and they have the potential to do work because they have an acceleration in their direction of motion. Examples of objects with kinetic energy are hydropower plants, windmills, moving cars, a bullet from a gun, a flying airplane, running and walking, cycling, rollercoaster, cricket ball, skateboarding, dropping an object on the floor, meteor shower, and many more. From the examples, you can see that any moving object has kinetic energy. There is no particular specification.
Top Examples of Kinetic Energy you can Witness in your Day to Day Life
Now that there is an adequate amount of theoretical understanding of kinetic energy, you can see some of the most common examples of kinetic energy. The examples of kinetic energy mentioned below can be witnessed in front of the eyes without much effort. These examples make kinetic energy lessons more fun, and you will never be confused about them. After all, having hands-on experience or visual examples makes any lesson easier to recall.
Example #1
You can say that your body is processing kinetic energy when running, dancing, biking, or just walking in a straight line.
These are some of the best everyday life kinetic energy examples. A runner or a walker will have kinetic energy, which is the energy in motion. Kinetic energy can be converted to other forms as well, including heat and sound.
There are two types of kinetic energy: potential and kinetic. Potential kinetic energy is stored in an object when it has the potential to do work, such as an apple sitting on a table with its stem touching the tabletop. Kinetic Energy is the energy in motion and doing work, such as a person running or walking down the street. The more potential kinetic energy an object has, the more work it can do.
As a kinetic energy real-life example, if you have a car sitting on your driveway with no gas and push it up a hill without any resistance, then all of its potential kinetic energy.
Example #2
The production of electricity in a hydropower plant is one of the best examples of kinetic energy at home. This is because electricity is produced with moving water which possesses some amount of kinetic energy.
Hydropower plants use kinetic energy to create electricity. The kinetic energy comes from the water flowing through a dam and crashing into the blades of a turbine. The turbine spins and produces electricity. The water, in turn, hits the turbine, that is when the kinetic energy gets converted into mechanical energy, which itself gets converted into electrical energy that we receive in our homes.
Hydropower plants are not only for kinetic energy at home but also can be utilized in diversified ways, such as generating electricity, providing irrigation for crops, or powering factories and mills.
Example #3
Airplanes generate kinetic energy when they fly. Kinetic energy is the product of its mass and velocity. Kinetic energy is one of the fundamental forms of energy in physics, and it can be observed as the movement or heat generated by a moving object. This example of Kinetic energy means that it is equal to one-half the mass times the square of its velocity, which means that it increases with both mass and speed. An airplane flying in the sky possesses a type of energy that is called kinetic.
The plane will have a massive amount of kinetic energy, which you can easily understand as you know how to calculate it. The huge mass of the plane, along with its tremendous speed, is the reason behind it.
Example #4
We have seen scene pictures of giant blades of windmills. The gigantic blades which are moving due to wind also possess this type of energy. The same theory is applicable to your bedroom fan or the fan inside a computer. Windmills are a great example of kinetic energy in nature. The wind blows, and the blades turn to create electricity. Kinetic energy from windmills is a renewable energy source, and it is a type of energy that is pollution free. Windmills generate electricity power through the conversion of the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy and then electrical energy. The most prominent example of kinetic energy from a windmill in the world is the London Array, which has a capacity of 630 megawatts. The largest onshore wind farm in North America is located in Roscoe, Texas, with a total of 1,200 megawatts.
Example #5
Another great kinetic energy real-life example is the roller coaster ride. You must have experienced kinetic energy in your childhood days while riding a roller coaster. Before the ride starts, the kinetic energy is zero. As it gears up, it increases with velocity. The Roller coaster’s kinetic energy is what it possesses through motion, making the ride so thrilling. The kinetic energy is converted to gravitational potential energy when the coaster slows down and gradually comes to a stop.
Example #6
When you are pitching in baseball, the ball starts possessing kinetic energy as soon as you take it in your hand toward the batter. The ball in its resting position in the hands of the picture has potential energy, which gets converted into kinetic energy when the ball is thrown, which is an example of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy causes a thrown ball to fly through the air and bounce off a wall. The kinetic energy from a pitched ball depends on how hard it was thrown and how heavy it was. If you throw a ball with more force, it will have more kinetic energy. If you throw a ball with greater weight, it will have more kinetic energy.
Different types of Kinetic Energy
You must have noticed that these examples of kinetic energy are extremely varied, as kinetic energy is of different kinds. You must be aware of mechanical energy, which is the most known form of kinetic energy. The other kinds of kinetic energy are as follows:
· Electrical Energy
It is a prevalent type of kinetic energy that we witness in our everyday lives. Your house gets electrical energy through wires. This form of kinetic energy, electrical energy you are receiving, comes from hydropower, thermal power, or even nuclear power, depending on where you stay.
· Heat/thermal Energy
The kinetic energy which is given out by hot bodies is known as heat energy. Just think about the campfire burning and the heat which is obtained from it; this is an example of thermal energy. Whenever any object is in motion and opposed by friction, heat is produced, and you get to witness this form of kinetic energy.
· Sound Energy
Any sound that you get to hear is a form of kinetic energy. Whenever a body starts vibrating, sound energy is produced. By the definition of kinetic energy, whenever any object has vibrational motion, it has kinetic energy. Just pluck the string of a ukulele and witness this for yourself.
· Light Energy
We have all learned from our childhood that the primary source of natural light is the sun. This sunlight is also obtained in kinetic energy form and is known as light energy. Even a room bulb emits kinetic energy or light energy.
Some Interesting Uses of Kinetic Energy
· Meteor Shower
A meteor shower fascinates the solar system, even though this form of kinetic energy is not a classic example. Meteoroids surround our solar system, attracted to the Earth’s atmosphere by gravity. As a result of their large weight and size, these meteoroids descend at an incredible rate, generating a significant quantity of kinetic energy due to the vast volume of kinetic energy involved in their collision with the Earth‘s surface.
· Kinetic Powered Phone
Kinetic-powered phones are the next generation of phone technology. They are powered by kinetic energy, which is a form of energy that is generated by movement. The Kinetic Phone has a built-in kinetic charger that converts the kinetic power generated from your natural movements into electricity to charge the battery. This means you can keep your phone charged without relying on cables or plugs. An example of this form of kinetic energy is the Kyocera EOS, a concept phone with kinetic power still developing.
· Kinetic Energy Lamp
The Kinetic Energy Lamp is a sustainable light source that has the potential to replace all other light sources. The kinetic energy lamp is an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly lamp that has been designed to be as cost-effective as possible. This kind of Kinetic Energy uses a small generator to power the LED lights and charge the battery. This generator is charged by hand cranking or from the sun, which means it can be used in remote areas without access to electricity or in emergencies when power is lost.
· Kinetic-powered Floor Cleaner
A kinetically powered floor cleaner is a device that uses a spinning brush to clean floors. The spinning brush is turned by the rotation of the wheels, which are powered by a motor—a simple kinetic energy real-life example. Ms. Neo Amy entered the Australian Design Award with her idea for a kinetically powered floor cleaner. It was called Electrolis, and it was built on a human-powered design that was similar in idea. An innovative example of kinetic energy. It has a considerably more appealing appearance, is much more user-friendly, and is also simple to empty.
· Kinetic-powered Snack Cooler
The Kinetic Powered Snack Cooler is a device that is designed to keep your favorite snacks cool for hours. It works by using kinetic energy, which converts motion into electricity. This device is perfect for anyone who loves to eat snacks. It’s a great way to ensure you don’t have crumbs in your car or desk at work. It’s also perfect for people who love camping and hiking and want to bring their favorite snacks without spoiling them. A fantastic example of a kinetic energy-powered snack cooler is E-bag.
· Pedal-powered Snow Plow
This kinetic pedal-powered snowplow is one of the most innovative products introduced to the market. This product has been designed in a way that it will be able to clear snow from driveways and sidewalks. The battery-powered device can be used with a power cord if necessary. A bicycle designer, Kevin Blake, created an incredible green substitute for a traditional gas-powered snow plow, which is an example of a kinetic energy-powered snowplow. It has an adjustable handlebar that will allow you to configure it for different heights.
With so many examples of kinetic energy, learning about the definition of kinetic energy, its different forms, and understanding how does kinetic energy work become fun. We can apply our theoretical knowledge to look at real-world examples of kinetic energy. With the help of this knowledge, we will be able to easily calculate and use the proper units of kinetic energy without even breaking a sweat!
