Question

a car with a mass of 1500 kg is moving at a speed of 20 m/s. what is its kinetic energy?
givens:
$m = 15000\\ kg$
$v = 20\\ m/s$
unknown:
what are you solving for?
equation to use:
$ke = \frac{1}{2} mv^2$
substitute & solve:

Explanation:

Step1: Identify given values

$m=1500\ \text{kg}$, $v=20\ \text{m/s}$

Step2: Recall kinetic energy formula

$$KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$$

Step3: Substitute values into formula

$$KE=\frac{1}{2} \times 1500\ \text{kg} \times (20\ \text{m/s})^2$$

Step4: Calculate step-by-step

First compute $(20)^2=400$, then $\frac{1}{2} \times 1500=750$, finally $750 \times 400=300000$

Answer:

$300000\ \text{J}$ (or $3.0 \times 10^5\ \text{J}$)