What refers to energy that a body possesses due to its motion?

Kinetic energy refers to the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. This form of energy is directly related to the mass of the moving body and the square of its velocity, and it can be mathematically expressed using the formula ( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 ), where ( m ) is the mass and ( v ) is the velocity.

Understanding kinetic energy is fundamental in physics as it plays a vital role in various applications, such as mechanics, sports, and even vehicle dynamics. For example, a moving car has kinetic energy, which increases as its speed increases or as its mass increases. This concept connects to real-life scenarios, such as understanding why a heavier vehicle requires more energy to stop compared to a lighter one at the same speed, highlighting the importance of motion in the context of energy.

The other types of energy mentioned do not relate specifically to motion. Potential energy is stored energy based on an object's position, thermal energy is related to temperature and heat, and elastic energy comes from the deformation of an elastic object. Each of these forms of energy has its own significance, but none involve the direct energy associated with motion like kinetic energy does.