Kinetic energy is influenced by which two factors?

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. The formula for kinetic energy is expressed as:

[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ]

where ( m ) represents the mass (or weight) of the object and ( v ) is its velocity (or speed).

The correct answer hinges on the understanding that kinetic energy depends directly on the mass of the object and the square of its speed. Since weight is a measure of mass influenced by gravity, it appropriately describes one of the factors affecting kinetic energy.

Speed is the second factor because the kinetic energy increases significantly with the increase in speed, as it is squared in the kinetic energy formula. As speed doubles, the kinetic energy quadruples, demonstrating a strong relationship.

The other options either refer to factors that do not influence kinetic energy directly or include terms that don't pertain to the motion of an object (like height, power, or distance). Thus, identifying the key variables of weight and speed is crucial in understanding how kinetic energy functions.