Final answer:
The kinetic energy of an object increases as its velocity increases, due to the direct proportional relationship between kinetic energy and the square of the object's velocity. This concept is fundamental in physics, particularly within the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the velocity of an object increases, so does its kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is directly related to the motion of an object and is calculated based on the mass and the square of the velocity of the object. When there is no loss of energy due to external factors like friction or air resistance, as an object's velocity increases, its kinetic energy will increase proportionately. This relationship is an important aspect of the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy, which states that in an isolated system, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energies) remains constant.
Thermal energy, on the other hand, refers to the average kinetic energy of the particles within a substance, which is associated with heat and temperature. Elastic potential energy is stored energy due to the deformation of an elastic object, like a stretched or compressed spring. Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, typically relative to Earth or another celestial body. However, the question specifically addresses energy associated with increasing velocity, which points directly to kinetic energy.