Speed is related to kinetic energy through a squared relationship. Kinetic energy (KE) is given by the formula:
KE=12mv2KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^2KE=21mv2
where mmm is the mass of the object and vvv is its speed or velocity. This means that kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of the speed. As speed increases, the kinetic energy increases by the square of that change. For example, if the speed doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four; if the speed triples, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of nine. Conversely, a decrease in speed results in a proportional decrease in kinetic energy. This quadratic relationship explains why faster-moving objects possess significantly more kinetic energy and require more work or force to stop than slower ones. It also highlights the nonlinear impact of speed on the energy possessed by a moving object.