Kinetic energy is measured in joules (J). The joule is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI).
To understand why kinetic energy uses joules, we can look at its formula: K.E. = 0.5 × m × v², where m is mass in kilograms and v is velocity in meters per second. When we calculate kinetic energy using this formula, the resulting unit is indeed joules.
One joule is defined as the amount of energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. Therefore, when considering kinetic energy, it makes sense to use joules as it represents a quantifiable measurement of energy based on physical principles. In simpler terms, if an object is moving, the kinetic energy it possesses can be calculated in joules, reflecting how much energy it has due to its motion.