The energy possessed by an object due to its motion is termed kinetic energy. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction, and is directly proportional to the mass of the object and the square of its velocity. Two examples illustrating this principle are a moving car, where its mass and speed contribute to its energy, and a thrown baseball, exhibiting energy dependent on its weight and how quickly it travels through the air.
Understanding the energy of motion is fundamental in physics and engineering. It allows for the calculation of impact forces, the design of efficient engines, and the prediction of object behavior in various dynamic systems. Historically, the concept developed alongside classical mechanics, providing essential tools for describing and predicting motion phenomena.