Kinetic Energy Calculator with Impact Visualizer
Calculate the kinetic energy of moving objects. Features unit mixing (mph, kg, lbs) and an impact visualizer that compares Joules to real-world collision scenarios.
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About
Kinetic energy quantifies the work an object can do by virtue of its motion. In crash safety analysis and ballistics, this value is more critical than velocity alone because energy scales with the square of the speed. Doubling your speed quadruples the destructive potential.
This tool converts mixed units (like mass in pounds and speed in km/h) into the standard metric output (Joules). The specific value proposition here is the "Impact Visualizer," which contextualizes abstract Joule figures into tangible mechanical equivalents, such as dropping a heavy weight from a specific height.
Formulas
The calculation is based on classical mechanics, assuming non-relativistic speeds.
Where:
- m = Mass (kg)
- v = Velocity (m/s)
- KE = Kinetic Energy (J or kg⋅m2/s2)
The relationship is quadratic; a car moving at 100 km/h has four times the energy of one moving at 50 km/h.
Reference Data
| Object | Mass (kg) | Velocity (m/s) | Velocity (km/h) | Kinetic Energy (J) | TNT Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball Pitch | 0.145 | 45 | 162 | 147 | 0.035 g |
| Bullet (.45 ACP) | 0.015 | 260 | 936 | 507 | 0.12 g |
| Sprinter | 80 | 10 | 36 | 4,000 | 0.95 g |
| Car (Urban) | 1,500 | 13.4 | 48 | 134,670 | 32 g |
| Car (Highway) | 1,500 | 29 | 105 | 630,750 | 150 g |
| Truck (Loaded) | 36,000 | 25 | 90 | 11,250,000 | 2.68 kg |
| Airplane (Landing) | 70,000 | 70 | 252 | 171,500,000 | 41 kg |