Final answer:
Using the kinetic energy formula KE = 1/2 m v^2, the velocity (v) is calculated as the square root of 2 times the kinetic energy divided by the mass. For a car with mass 500kg and kinetic energy of 25,000J, the speed is 10 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how fast a car of mass 500kg is going when it has kinetic energy (KE) of 25,000J, we can use the formula for kinetic energy:
KE = ½ m v²
where KE is kinetic energy, m is mass, and v is velocity. We rearrange the equation to solve for v:
v = √(2×KE/m)
Plugging in the known values (KE = 25,000J, m = 500kg):
v = √(2×25,000J / 500kg)
v = √(50,000J / 500kg)
v = √(100J/kg)
v = 10 m/s
Therefore, the car is traveling at a speed of 10 m/s.