Which of the following has a higher kinetic energy?

A 1000 kg car rolling at a speed of 5 m/s across the floor or a 1500 kg hippo swimming at a speed of 2 m/s

a
the car
b
their kinetic energies are equal
c
the hippo
d
not enough information to determine

1 answer

a) the car

The kinetic energy of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the square of its velocity. In this case, the car has a higher kinetic energy due to its higher mass and velocity compared to the hippo.