Acceleration, Velocity, and Work
Most recent answer: 12/14/2014
Q:
Does it take more energy for higher accelerations? For example, does it take more energy to accelerate from 0 to 20 mph in 3 second than to accelerate from 0 to 20 mph in 15 seconds?
- Tony V (age 76)
Saint Augustine, FL
- Tony V (age 76)
Saint Augustine, FL
A:
Hello Tony,
Kinetic energy is related to velocity by KE = 1/2 MV2 where M is the mass. This result is independent of the rate of acceleration or the amount of time taken.
On the other hand, for a uniform acceleration, A, the amount of time it takes to reach a velocity V is V/A and the distance traveled is X = V2/2A .
LeeH
(published on 12/14/2014)