Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. This type of energy depends on two primary factors: the mass of the object and its velocity. The mathematical expression for kinetic energy is given by the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m represents the mass and v represents the velocity of the object. Therefore, whenever an object is in movement, it is demonstrating kinetic energy.

In contrast, potential energy refers to the stored energy of an object that has the potential to do work based on its position or state, such as an object elevated above the ground. Thermal energy relates to the internal energy of an object due to the kinetic energy of its particles, typically associated with temperature. Chemical energy, on the other hand, is the energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds and released during a chemical reaction. Thus, recognizing the distinction between these forms of energy is key, as only kinetic energy is directly related to the motion of an object.