Questions on Kinetic Energy
Multiple-Choice Questions – Kinetic Energy
1. What does kinetic energy measure?
A) Stored energy
B) Energy of motion
C) Energy of position
D) Chemical energy
E) Potential energy
2. Which of the following has the most kinetic energy?
A) A rock at the top of a hill
B) A stationary car
C) A moving bicycle
D) A stretched rubber band
E) A book on a shelf
3. The formula for kinetic energy is:
A) KE = m × a
B) KE = m × g × h
C) KE = ½ × m × v²
D) KE = m × v
E) KE = m² × v
4. In the kinetic energy formula, what does "v" represent?
A) Volume
B) Velocity
C) Viscosity
D) Variable
E) Voltage
5. What is the kinetic energy of a 4 kg object moving at 3 m/s?
A) 6 J
B) 9 J
C) 18 J
D) 36 J
E) 48 J
6. If the mass of an object doubles, what happens to its kinetic energy (if speed is constant)?
A) It stays the same
B) It doubles
C) It triples
D) It quadruples
E) It is halved
7. If the speed of an object doubles, what happens to its kinetic energy?
A) It stays the same
B) It doubles
C) It triples
D) It quadruples
E) It is halved
8. Which object has more kinetic energy?
A) A 1 kg object moving at 4 m/s
B) A 2 kg object moving at 2 m/s
C) A 4 kg object at rest
D) A 3 kg object moving at 1 m/s
E) A 2 kg object at rest
9. Kinetic energy depends on:
A) Mass and gravity
B) Mass and velocity
C) Volume and mass
D) Force and distance
E) Energy and time
10. What are the SI units of kinetic energy?
A) Watts
B) Newtons
C) Joules
D) Kilograms
E) Meters per second
11. When is an object’s kinetic energy zero?
A) When it is accelerating
B) When it is slowing down
C) When it is stationary
D) When it is falling
E) When it has mass
12. Which would increase the kinetic energy of a moving car the most?
A) Doubling its mass
B) Reducing friction
C) Halving its speed
D) Doubling its speed
E) Parking it
13. A 10 kg object moves at 5 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?
A) 125 J
B) 100 J
C) 250 J
D) 150 J
E) 200 J
14. What happens to kinetic energy when a ball is thrown upward?
A) It increases until it reaches the peak
B) It stays constant
C) It decreases as it rises
D) It increases as it slows
E) It disappears
15. A person running has more kinetic energy than:
A) A person sitting
B) A person walking
C) A person lying down
D) All of the above
E) None of the above
16. Why is kinetic energy always positive or zero?
A) Because mass and velocity are always negative
B) Because velocity is squared
C) Because energy is always negative
D) Because mass is squared
E) Because time is a factor
17. Kinetic energy is a type of:
A) Nuclear energy
B) Gravitational energy
C) Chemical energy
D) Mechanical energy
E) Radiant energy
18. What happens to kinetic energy when friction slows an object down?
A) It becomes mass
B) It increases
C) It turns into potential energy
D) It becomes heat
E) It disappears forever
19. Which object has no kinetic energy?
A) A rolling tire
B) A flying bird
C) A parked car
D) A falling rock
E) A moving bicycle
20. If an object’s velocity is 0, then its kinetic energy is:
A) Maximum
B) Negative
C) Constant
D) Zero
E) Minimal
Answer Key with Explanations
1. B) Energy of motion
Kinetic energy is the energy of a moving object.
2. C) A moving bicycle
Only this option is in motion, thus has kinetic energy.
3. C) KE = ½ × m × v²
This is the correct formula for kinetic energy.
4. B) Velocity
“v” stands for the object’s velocity.
5. D) 18 J
KE = ½ × 4 × 3² = ½ × 4 × 9 = 18 J.
6. B) It doubles
Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass.
7. D) It quadruples
Because velocity is squared in the formula.
8. A) A 1 kg object moving at 4 m/s
KE = ½ × 1 × 16 = 8 J (greater than the others).
9. B) Mass and velocity
Both are essential in calculating kinetic energy.
10. C) Joules
The SI unit of energy is the joule (J).
11. C) When it is stationary
No movement means no kinetic energy.
12. D) Doubling its speed
Because speed is squared, doubling it has a greater impact.
13. C) 250 J
KE = ½ × 10 × 25 = 125 × 2 = 250 J.
14. C) It decreases as it rises
The object slows down, reducing kinetic energy.
15. D) All of the above
Anyone not in motion has less kinetic energy than someone running.
16. B) Because velocity is squared
Squaring any real number makes it non-negative.
17. D) Mechanical energy
Kinetic energy is a form of mechanical energy.
18. D) It becomes heat
Friction converts kinetic energy into thermal energy.
19. C) A parked car
It is not moving, so its kinetic energy is zero.
20. D) Zero
No motion = 0 velocity → 0 kinetic energy.
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