EnergyIntroduction

Why Speeding Kills

Part of Kinetic Energy · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This introduction covers Why Speeding Kills within Kinetic Energy for GCSE Physics. Revise Kinetic Energy in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 15 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 15

Practice

15 questions

Recall

30 flashcards

📖 Why Speeding Kills

Here's a fact that should terrify every driver: if you double your speed, you don't just double your kinetic energy — you QUADRUPLE it! A car at 60 mph has FOUR TIMES the kinetic energy of the same car at 30 mph. In a crash, that energy has to go somewhere — into crumpling metal, shattering glass, and injuring people. Your brakes don't just have to work twice as hard at double speed; they have to work FOUR times as hard. This isn't opinion — it's physics. The v² in the kinetic energy equation is why speed limits exist and why speeding is the single biggest factor in road deaths.

Kinetic Energy Equation (ON FORMULA SHEET ✓)

E_k = ½mv²

Kinetic Energy (J) = ½ × mass (kg) × velocity² (m/s)²

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Kinetic Energy. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Deep Dive: Why Is Velocity SQUARED?Key Facts — Kinetic Energy The v² Effect — Kinetic Energy vs Speed

Practice Questions for Kinetic Energy

Which of the following objects has kinetic energy stored in its kinetic energy store?

A. A book sitting on a shelf
B. A stretched elastic band
C. A car moving along a road
D. A battery connected to nothing

1 markfoundation

A car travels at 20 m/s. The driver then doubles their speed to 40 m/s. Explain what happens to the kinetic energy of the car and by what factor it changes.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is kinetic energy?

The energy stored in any object due to its motion. If it's moving, it has kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy equation?

Ek = ½mv² where m = mass (kg), v = velocity (m/s), Ek = kinetic energy (J)

15 questions on Kinetic Energy — practise free

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Kinetic Energy

Deep Dive: Why Is Velocity SQUARED?