What is kinetic energy a measure of?

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. When an object is moving, it has the capacity to do work as a result of its velocity and mass. The formula for kinetic energy is given by ( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ), where ( m ) is the mass of the object and ( v ) is its velocity. This relationship illustrates how an increase in speed or mass will result in a greater amount of kinetic energy. Understanding kinetic energy is crucial in various physical science applications, such as mechanics, where the movement of objects plays a vital role in energy transformations and dynamics.