The kinetic energy of an object is influenced by the following two factors:
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Mass of the Object: Kinetic energy (KE) is directly proportional to the mass of the object. The greater the mass, the more kinetic energy the object possesses at a given velocity. This relationship is reflected in the kinetic energy formula: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass.
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Velocity of the Object: Kinetic energy is also dependent on the velocity of the object, specifically the square of the velocity. This means that even a small increase in velocity will result in a significant increase in kinetic energy. Again, this relationship is illustrated in the formula: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \), where \( v \) is the velocity.
Together, these two factors (mass and velocity) determine the kinetic energy of an object.