Energy is something that surrounds us and is present everywhere and in everyday activities, such as running, walking, using a mobile phone or riding a bicycle. Energy allows changes to occur in bodies; it is a property that can be transferred, transported and stored, and can also be changed from one form to another, and can be conserved in quantity, although there is also a part that is lost. In this article in particular we will focus on kinetic energy, one of the aspects of mechanical energy, together with potential energy.
If you want to know how kinetic energy works, be sure to read this interesting article from EcologíaVerde in which we will explain in detail what kinetic energy is and simple examples to understand it better.
What is kinetic energy and how is it produced?
Kinetic energy is the energy that a body has as a result of its movement . This energy depends on the mass of the body itself and also on its speed. This energy is the capacity or work that makes it possible for an object to go from being at rest to being in motion at a certain speed.
Kinetic energy is produced by the movement itself and is calculated using the kinetic energy formula : kinetic energy is equal to the product of mass (m) by velocity squared (v) and divided by two. Simplified, it would be: Ec= ½ * mv²
For example, a body that is completely at rest has a kinetic energy coefficient of 0. When it is set in motion and accelerates, its kinetic energy will increase. However, for the body to return to a state of rest, it must receive the same amount of energy that it received to set it in motion, but in a negative form.
Transformation of kinetic energy into electrical energy
Mechanical energy, in this case kinetic energy, is converted into electricity by a machine called an electric generator . The initial energy can come from different natural sources, such as water or wind, which can produce movement and then, thanks to the generator, produce electricity.
Kinetic energy can be used to generate electricity or heat . An example of the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy is the dynamo on a bicycle. The movement of the wheel causes the dynamo to turn and, as a result, the bicycle’s light turns on. Another example in the field of renewable energy is the electrical energy produced by the mechanism used in wind energy . This basically transforms kinetic energy into electrical energy thanks to the movement of the blades placed in wind turbines.
Examples of kinetic energy
Below we will mention some examples of kinetic energy:
- A person riding a scooter: When a person picks up a scooter to put it in motion, kinetic energy is immediately produced as the scooter starts moving.
- Falling glass vase: As gravity acts on the glass vase, kinetic energy builds up in its body as it falls and is eventually released when the vase hits the ground or another surface and breaks.
- A ball that has been thrown: by applying force to a ball that is at rest, we will be accelerating it and it will travel a certain distance depending on the force used. While the ball is in motion, it is generating kinetic energy.
- A stone thrown down a hillside: the stone falling down the hillside will generate kinetic energy that will depend on the mass of the stone and the speed it acquires during the fall.
- Something as simple as walking: when we walk we are also generating kinetic energy, which can vary depending on the weight and speed with which we perform the action. For example, if instead of walking, we run, the energy generated will be much much
Difference between kinetic and potential energy
There are different types of energy: thermal, nuclear, electromagnetic or mechanical, among others. So far in this article we have talked about kinetic energy, which is one of the aspects of mechanical energy. The other aspect of mechanical energy is potential energy. But what are the differences between kinetic energy and potential energy?
On the one hand, as we have already mentioned, kinetic energy is the energy that a body has in terms of its movement . On the other hand, potential energy is the energy that a body has due to its position , that is, if it is at a height it has more potential energy than one that is on the surface, which indicates the energy it has in potential.
