Final answer:
Kinetic energy is the energy caused by the vibration of particles in a medium. It is calculated using the formula KE = 0.5mv², where KE is the kinetic energy, m is the mass of the particle, and v is its velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. It is caused by the vibration of particles in a medium such as steel, water, or air. Kinetic energy is calculated as one-half the product of the mass of the particle and the square of its speed.
For example, when a rock is thrown into a pond or when a swimmer splashes the water's surface, the kinetic energy of the vibrating water particles is generated. Similarly, mechanical sound waves also have kinetic energy due to the movement of air particles and the potential energy caused by the elasticity of the material through which the sound propagates.
In summary, kinetic energy arises from the motion of particles in a medium and can be calculated using the formula KE = 0.5mv², where KE is the kinetic energy, m is the mass of the particle, and v is its velocity.