Questions: Kinetic Energy: Energy of Motion

Question 1

Which has more kinetic energy: a bowling ball rolling at 5 mph or a tennis ball rolling at 5 mph?

• A. The tennis ball
• B. They have the same kinetic energy
• C. The bowling ball
• D. Neither has kinetic energy

Answer: (C)

At the same speed, the heavier object has more kinetic energy. The bowling ball has much more mass than the tennis ball.

Question 2

A parked car has kinetic energy.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. A parked car is not moving, so it has zero kinetic energy.

Question 3

What two factors determine how much kinetic energy a moving object has?

Model answer: Its speed and its mass.

Kinetic energy increases when an object moves faster or when it has more mass. Both factors matter.