Which of the following objects has the highest kinetic energy ($E=\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2$)?

• A. A $2 \mathrm{kg}$ object moving at $3 m/s$
• B. A $3 \mathrm{kg}$ object moving at $2 m/s$
• C. A $4 \mathrm{kg}$ object moving at $1 m/s$
• D. A $1 \mathrm{kg}$ object moving at $5 m/s$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the formula for kinetic energy: \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass and \( v \) is the velocity of the object.
2. Calculate the kinetic energy for each object using the formula. Start with the 2 kg object moving at 3 m/s: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 2 \times (3)^2 \).
3. Next, calculate the kinetic energy for the 3 kg object moving at 2 m/s: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 3 \times (2)^2 \).
4. Then, calculate the kinetic energy for the 4 kg object moving at 1 m/s: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 4 \times (1)^2 \).
5. Finally, calculate the kinetic energy for the 1 kg object moving at 5 m/s: \( KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 1 \times (5)^2 \). Compare all the calculated kinetic energies to determine which object has the highest kinetic energy.