AFOQT Practice Test

What type of energy is defined as the energy an object has due to its motion?

1. Potential energy

2. Kinetic energy

3. Elastic potential energy

4. Gravitational potential energy

The correct answer is: Kinetic energy

The correct answer is kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is defined as the energy an object possesses because of its motion. The faster an object moves, the greater its kinetic energy, which is calculated using the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( v \) is its velocity. This concept is fundamental in physics and is crucial to understanding how energy interacts with moving objects. Potential energy, on the other hand, relates to an object's position or configuration rather than its motion. Elastic potential energy refers specifically to energy stored in elastic materials as they are stretched or compressed, while gravitational potential energy relates to an object's position relative to a gravitational field. Therefore, only kinetic energy pertains to the energy of motion, validating that this is indeed the correct choice.