Kinetic Energy

• A. The energy of motion.
• B. Stored energy due to position or condition.
• C. Energy from light traveling in waves.
• D. Energy from chemical reactions.

Answer: (A)

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When an object moves, that motion represents energy that can do work—stopping, starting, or changing the object's motion requires removing or changing that energy. The amount of kinetic energy depends on both mass and speed, and is given by KE = 1/2 m v^2. That means heavier objects have more kinetic energy, and running faster also increases it—doubling the speed makes kinetic energy four times larger, while doubling the mass with the same speed doubles the energy.

The description that refers to energy stored due to position or condition is not kinetic energy—it's potential energy. Energy from light traveling in waves is radiant (electromagnetic) energy, not motion-based energy. Energy from chemical reactions is chemical energy, stored in bonds and released during reactions. So the concept that matches “energy of motion” is kinetic energy.