Physics Energy: Kinetic and Potential Energy
Energy comes in forms, and each form has its own formula. This calculator handles the two most common school forms.
What is the Physics Energy Calculator?
Pick kinetic or potential energy, then enter mass with speed or height. Kinetic energy is half m v squared; potential energy is m g h with g = 9.81. All physics tools here use standard textbook formulas, labelled as such.
How to use it
- Enter the values in the labelled units.
- Click Calculate Energy.
- Read the result and its formula.
Worked example
A 10 kg mass at 5 m/s has kinetic energy of 0.5 x 10 x 25 = 125 J; at 10 m height its potential energy is 10 x 9.81 x 10 = 981 J.
What kinetic energy does 10 kg at 5 m/s have?
125 joules, from half times 10 times 5 squared.
Frequently asked questions
What units should I use?
Use the units on the labels (kg, m, s, N, J, W) so the formula's result comes out in standard units.
Is this exact?
The formula is standard textbook physics; real measurements carry their own errors, but the arithmetic is exact.