To determine the correct equation for calculating the kinetic energy (KE) of an object, we need to review the common equations used in physics.
1. KE = mgh: This equation is used to calculate the potential energy (PE) of an object due to its height in a gravitational field, not kinetic energy.
2. KE = [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex]mv²: This is the correct equation for calculating the kinetic energy of an object. This equation states that kinetic energy is half the product of the object's mass (m) and the square of its velocity (v).
3. KE = [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex]at²: This equation is not typically used to describe kinetic energy. It resembles the equation for the distance traveled under constant acceleration, but it is not correct for KE.
4. KE = [tex]\(\frac{1}{4}\)[/tex]g²: This equation is also incorrect. It does not represent the kinetic energy of an object.
Based on reviewing these equations, the correct equation for calculating the kinetic energy of an object is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2} \][/tex]
