Higher Tier Only: KE from the Equations of Motion
Part of Kinetic Energy — GCSE Physics
This higher tier covers Higher Tier Only: KE from the Equations of Motion within Kinetic Energy for GCSE Physics. Revise Kinetic Energy in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 12 of 15 in this topic. This section is most useful once the core foundation idea is secure, because it adds the detail that pushes answers higher.
Topic position
Section 12 of 15
Practice
15 questions
Recall
30 flashcards
🎓 Higher Tier Only: KE from the Equations of Motion
The ½ in E_k = ½mv² can be derived from the equations of motion. Starting from v² = u² + 2as (where u = 0 for an object starting from rest):
- v² = 2as, so s = v²/(2a)
- Work done = F × s = ma × v²/(2a) = ½mv²
This shows that KE is literally just the work done to accelerate an object from rest to speed v. No magic — just F = ma and W = Fs combined.