Question

Mention the name of three form of kinetic energy and give one example of each form.

Answer 1

There are three different forms of kinetic energy.
1. Translational Kinetic Energy:

1. Translational motion is the motion of a body in a straight-line path.
2. So, the kinetic energy of the body due to motion in a straight line is known as translational kinetic energy.
3. E.g. a vehicle moving on a straight road covering a straight path

2. Rotational Kinetic Energy:

1. The rotational motion comes into play when a body rotates about an axis.
2. So, the kinetic energy of the body due to rotational motion is known as rotational kinetic energy.
3. E.g. rotation of Earth on its axis.

3. Vibrational Kinetic Energy:

1. The vibrational motion comes into existence when a body moves to and fro about a mean position.
2. So, the kinetic energy of the body due to its vibrational motion is called vibrational kinetic energy.
3. E.g. a polyatomic molecule has vibrational motion in addition to rotation and translational energies.