A 5,000 Kg monster truck is traveling at 11 m/s. When it sees an obstacle it is going to crush during the Monster truck rally, it speeds up to 18 m/s.

Question

How much has the Kinetic energy of the truck increased during this time?

a. 507,500 J
b. 302,500 J
c. 120,600 J
d. 810,000 J

Answer 1

To calculate the change in kinetic energy, we use the formula:

Change in kinetic energy = 0.5 * m * (vf^2 - vi^2)

Where:
m = mass of the truck = 5,000 kg
vf = final velocity = 18 m/s
vi = initial velocity = 11 m/s

Plugging the values into the formula:

Change in kinetic energy = 0.5 * 5,000 * (18^2 - 11^2)
Change in kinetic energy = 0.5 * 5,000 * (324 - 121)
Change in kinetic energy = 0.5 * 5,000 * 203
Change in kinetic energy = 507,500 J

Therefore, the correct answer is:
a. 507,500 J