Question

Who has more kinetic energy if they are both running at 17 m/s, a 90kg elephant or a 1kg cat?

1) Elephant
2) Cat

Answer 1

The elephant has more kinetic energy than the cat when both are running at 17 m/s, due to the elephant's larger mass.

Step-by-step explanation:

The kinetic energy of an object is defined as the energy it possesses due to its motion and is calculated using the formula KE = \(rac{1}{2}mv^2\), where m is the mass and v is the velocity of the object. Given that both the elephant and cat are running at 17 m/s, we apply this formula to determine which has more kinetic energy.

In the case of the 90kg elephant running at 17 m/s, its kinetic energy is:

KE = \(rac{1}{2} imes 90 imes 17^2\)

KE = \(rac{1}{2} imes 90 imes 289\)

KE = 13005 Joules

For the 1kg cat running at the same speed:

KE = \(rac{1}{2} imes 1 imes 17^2\)

KE = \(rac{1}{2} imes 1 imes 289\)

KE = 144.5 Joules

Therefore, the elephant has more kinetic energy than the cat when running at the same speed of 17 m/s.