A car is moving at 12 m/s and has a mass of 600 kg. What is the kinetic energy of the car? (Formula: [tex]\( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \)[/tex])

A. 36,300 J
B. 43,200 J
C. 72,600 J
D. 86,400 J



Answer :

Sure, let's solve this step-by-step.

1. Identify the mass and velocity of the car:
- Mass [tex]\( m = 600 \, \text{kg} \)[/tex]
- Velocity [tex]\( v = 12 \, \text{m/s} \)[/tex]

2. Write down the formula for kinetic energy:
[tex]\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 \][/tex]

3. Substitute the known values into the formula:
[tex]\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 600 \, \text{kg} \times (12 \, \text{m/s})^2 \][/tex]

4. First find [tex]\( v^2 \)[/tex], the square of the velocity:
[tex]\[ v^2 = (12 \, \text{m/s})^2 = 144 \, \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 \][/tex]

5. Now, multiply by the mass [tex]\( m \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 600 \, \text{kg} \times 144 \, \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 = 86400 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 \][/tex]

6. Finally, multiply by [tex]\( \frac{1}{2} \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 86400 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 = 43200 \, \text{J} \][/tex]

Thus, the kinetic energy of the car is [tex]\( \mathbf{43,200 \, \text{J}} \)[/tex].

Therefore, the correct answer is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{43,200 \, \text{J}} \][/tex]