Real Life Applications of Kinetic Energy

Kinetic Energy is the energy of the body due to the motion of the object. Kinetic Energy is utilized in various applications such as automobiles movement, sports, generation of electricity from the motion of wind and water. The formula used to calculate kinetic energy is given by

K.E = 1/2 mv²

Where,

• K.E is Kinetic energy
• m is the object’s mass
• v is the velocity of an object

This formula can be used to calculate the kinetic energy of an object under no force. In this article, we will discuss different applications of kinetic energy.

Applications of Kinetic Energy in Daily Life

Kinetic Energy is commonly used in operating machines or designing vehicles like bicycles so that they can work with minimal effort. It is necessary to understand how the concept of Kinetic Energy is used in daily life therefore, let us study some of its real-life applications.

Sports

In popular sports like cricket, the baller carefully analyzes the field and imparts kinetic energy to the ball so that it can hit the stumps. Apart from this, different athletes use kinetic energy to cover up long marathons, races, and long jumps so that they can win.

Windmills

Kinetic Energy is used for harnessing energy from some natural phenomena. The energy of moving air is channelized using large windmills, these windmills have large blades which rotate when moving air strikes them. These moving blades have a large amount of kinetic energy which is used to rotate the shaft of the motor to generate electricity for commercial purposes.

Hydropower Plant

Just like moving air, moving water has some kind of kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is useful and is harnessed by installing hydropower plants. When water flowing from dams at a high speed strikes the large turbines, the kinetic energy gets converted into mechanical energy which is used to generate electricity for commercial purposes.

Designing Vehicles

While designing vehicles like aircraft, major care is taken to understand the minimum energy that is needed by the aircraft to overcome drag and fly. The shape of the wings, the amount of fuel needed, the landing gears, and many other components of vehicles are designed by considering the kinetic energy required by the aircraft.

Medical Applications

The field of medicine widely uses the concept of kinetic energy to carefully decide the energy of particles being used for important scans like ultrasound and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). For example, ultrasound imaging makes use of high-frequency sound waves that enter the internal organs. It becomes necessary to calculate the appropriate speed of these waves to ensure proper transmission or reflection.

Industry Equipments

Equipments used in industries are designed in such a way that they provide maximum efficiency for minimal effort. This is done by analyzing the kinetic energy used by different devices. For example, designing conveyor belts is done by analyzing the kinetic energy required for moving the belt at the required speed. Other devices like assembly lines, and robotic arms are also designed similarly.

Military and Defence

The military equipment, the concept of kinetic energy is used to design weapons that can achieve a desired velocity and can provide a certain impact. For example, missiles and bullets are designed to ensure they develop the necessary kinetic energy required for destroying the target. The idea of projectile motion and kinetic energy together is used for designing military vehicles that can launch the weapons with maximum energy.

Ensuring Safety

Accidents are inevitable when you deal with heavy machinery or vehicles. Therefore, it becomes necessary to prevent these accidents. The concept of kinetic energy is applied while designing the safety equipment like belts, helmets, and airbags. These are designed in a way to ensure they can absorb all the impact when any mishap occurs thereby protecting the individual using it.

FAQs on Applications of Kinetic Energy

What is the main difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

The main difference between kinetic energy and potential energy is that kinetic energy is the energy in an object due to its motion and potential energy is the energy due to the object’s configuration.

How is kinetic energy typically applied in bicycles?

In the bicycles, care is taken to ensure that the bicycle gives optimal performance for minimal effort. The bicycles are designed in a way to ensure that pedaling pedals is enough to provide the minimum kinetic energy to bicycle to ensure it can ride smoothly.

Is kinetic energy commonly used in the generation of electricity?

Yes, the majority of power plants are designed in a way that can harness the kinetic energy of natural resources to generate electricity. For example, windmills harness the kinetic energy of wind and hydropower plants harness the kinetic energy of moving water.

How do we use kinetic energy in everyday life?

In everyday life we use kinetic energy in bicycling, in running wind turbine, driving cars, playing soccer etc.