Anytime matter is in motion it has kinetic energy. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has. The more mass an object has, the more kinetic energy it has.

A rise in temperature increases the kinetic energy and speed of particles; it does not weaken the forces between them. The particles in solids vibrate about fixed positions; even at very low temperatures. Individual particles in liquids and gases have no fixed positions and move chaotically.

hydrogen

helium

Gases consist of particles (molecules or atoms) that are in constant random motion. The average kinetic energy of gas particles is proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas, and all gases at the same temperature have the same average kinetic energy.

Since, oxygen and nitrogen are both diatomic, the average kinetic energy of an oxygen molecule is the same as the average kinetic energy of a nitrogen molecule. Thus 20% of the kinetic energy is in the oxygen. The fact that O2 and N2 have different masses does not come into play.

gas

solid

solid state

Albert Einstein

According to the big bang theory, equal amounts of matter and antimatter were created at the birth of the universe, but precious little antimatter is to be found in the universe today. Everything we see, from our bodies to our cars to the stars in distant galaxies, is made of matter.

Something can be created from nothing But such a perfect vacuum may not exist. One of the foundations of quantum theory is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. And that required energy is not “nothing”, so a vacuum that produced particles would nevertheless require available energy to convert into the particles.

When a sample of solid, liquid, or gas matter heats up, it expands. When matter gets hot, its particles gain kinetic energy. The increased kinetic energy pushes the particles farther apart. This causes the matter to expand.

Thermal energy

The mass of the object and the speed of the object are variables that determine how much kinetic energy something has.

Kinetic energy is greatest at the lowest point of a roller coaster and least at the highest point.

When an object has the LEAST potential energy, it has the MOST kinetic energy.

There are five types of kinetic energy: radiant, thermal, sound, electrical and mechanical. Let’s explore several kinetic energy examples to better illustrate these various forms.

Kinetic energy, form of energy that an object or a particle has by reason of its motion. If work, which transfers energy, is done on an object by applying a net force, the object speeds up and thereby gains kinetic energy.