Question

Consider the formula for determining kinetic energy:
K.E.=1/2 m v^2

Which factor would have the greatest impact on the magnitude of kinetic energy?

(1 point)
Responses

mass
mass

velocity
velocity

gravity
gravity

Impossible to determine
Impossible to determine
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Answers

GPT-4o mini
The factor that would have the greatest impact on the magnitude of kinetic energy is **velocity**.

Kinetic energy is given by the formula \( K.E. = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 \). In this formula, the kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the velocity (v). This means that if the velocity doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four (since \( v^2 \) is multiplied). In contrast, while mass also affects kinetic energy, its impact is linear (if mass doubles, kinetic energy doubles). Therefore, changes in velocity will have a more significant effect on kinetic energy compared to changes in mass.

So, the correct answer is **velocity**.

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