In IB Physics, kinetic energy () is the energy an object has due to its translational motion (i.e. because it's moving). The faster an object is moving, the greater its kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy can be calculated using the following equation:
Where:
= kinetic energy, measured in joules (
)
= mass, measured in kilograms (
)
= speed, measured in metres per second (
)

When an object is falling, it is gaining kinetic energy since it is accelerating under gravity. This energy is transferred from the gravitational potential energy it is losing. An object will maintain kinetic energy unless its speed or mass changes.
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