Which statement best explains why translational kinetic energy has no directional…
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Work Energy and Power · Work Energy and Power
Problem
Which statement best explains why translational kinetic energy has no directional component?
(a) Because mass is a scalar, multiplying it by velocity turns the velocity into a scalar, so any directional information is lost.
(b) The speed in 21mv2 is squared, eliminating any information about the direction of motion.
(c) When kinetic energy is derived from the work–energy theorem, the dot product F⋅s makes the result positive, so the direction of motion never appears in the final expression.
(d) Potential energy can cancel kinetic energy in a system, so physicists ignore the sign of velocity to make the total energy easier to add.