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Projectile Translational Kinetic Energy

Calculate projectile translational kinetic energy using known measurements, selectable units and clear physical assumptions.

  • Formula & worked example
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Calculator inputs

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

Private by default

Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.

Formula and method

A 10 g projectile traveling at 100 m/s has translational kinetic energy 50 J.

E = mv²/2

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Bullet mass
10 g
Bullet velocity
100 m/s
Bullet energy
50 J

Assumptions and limitations

  • This is nonrelativistic translational kinetic energy. It excludes spin, impact deformation and drag; an energy result does not predict impact outcome.
  • Enter mutually consistent measurements and clear a quantity before inferring it. Calculations use 64 significant digits; the displayed result is rounded separately.

Common questions

Can the kinetic energy recover speed?

With a positive mass, v = √(2E/m). The retained speed input uses the positive speed magnitude, not a signed velocity component.

References

The calculation equations, inverse formulas, units, and input rules were imported from this source. Bookify provides the interface and equation solver.

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