What is the term for the energy of motion?

Kinetic energy is specifically defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. The concept of kinetic energy is grounded in the idea that any object in motion—whether it be a rolling ball, a moving vehicle, or a flowing river—has energy associated with its velocity and mass. The mathematical expression for kinetic energy is given by the formula ( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ), where ( m ) represents the mass of the object and ( v ) is its velocity.

This term specifically distinguishes it from potential energy, which is energy stored due to an object's position or configuration, mechanical energy that can encompass both kinetic and potential forms, and thermal energy, which relates to the internal energy of an object due to the random motion of its atoms and molecules. Understanding the distinction among these forms of energy is important in the study of mechanics and energy conservation.