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Calculators/Physics/Kinetic & potential energy
Physics

Kinetic & potential energy calculator

Energy of a moving or raised mass.

What this calculator does

Kinetic & potential energy works out energy of a moving or raised mass. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

FormulaKE = ½mv² · PE = mgh · v from KE = √(2·KE/m)

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Mass (kg)A number, measured in kg. Starts at 1200.
Speed (km/h)A number, measured in km/h. Starts at 60.
Height (m)A number, measured in m. Starts at 10.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with mass

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while mass varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with mass
Mass (kg)Kinetic energyPotential energy at that heightKE in kilojoules
60083,333 J58,840 J83.33 kJ
900125,000 J88,260 J125.00 kJ
1,200166,667 J117,680 J166.67 kJ
1,800250,000 J176,520 J250.00 kJ
2,400333,333 J235,360 J333.33 kJ
3,600500,000 J353,039 J500.00 kJ