A wildlife keeper is trying to catch an escaping rabbit. Who has the greater kinetic energy, the rabbit or the wildlife keeper?

(1 point)

Neither one because they are moving at the same speed.

The rabbit because it has less mass.

The wildlife keeper because they have a greater mass.

The wildlife keeper because they speed up and catch the rabbit.

1 answer

The correct answer is: The wildlife keeper because they have a greater mass.

Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \), where \( m \) is mass and \( v \) is velocity. If the wildlife keeper has a greater mass than the rabbit, and both are moving at the same speed, the wildlife keeper will have greater kinetic energy. Even if they are moving at different speeds, without specific values for speed and mass, we can generally say that mass has a significant effect on kinetic energy.