Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Anything that moves has kinetic energy. A flying ball, a running dog, and a blowing wind all have it. The faster or heavier something is, the more kinetic energy it has.

How It Works

A still object has no kinetic energy. Once it starts moving, it gets some. If it moves faster, it gets even more. If it is heavy, it has more kinetic energy than a light thing at the same speed. A bowling ball has way more kinetic energy than a tennis ball.

Energy Changing

Energy can change from one kind to another. A roller coaster car at the top of a hill has stored energy. As it rolls down, that energy turns into kinetic energy. Water in a dam does the same thing to make electricity. Your body turns food energy into kinetic energy when you run.

Fun Facts

• Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of moving air to make power.
• A baseball thrown by a pitcher has lots of kinetic energy.
• Even tiny atoms have kinetic energy as they jiggle around.

Did You Know?

The word kinetic comes from a Greek word meaning 'to move,' which is a perfect name for the energy of motion.