Calculate the kinetic energy of an object moving at speeds close to the speed of light.
Object Parameters
Energy Values
Enter mass and velocity
About this calculator
Quick Reference
γLorentz Factor
cSpeed of Light
m₀Rest Mass
Overview
At significant fractions of the speed of light, classical mechanics (1/2 mv²) fails. Relativistic Kinetic Energy accounts for the increase in relativistic mass.
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Pro Tips
As velocity approaches c, kinetic energy approaches infinity.
The formula is KE = (γ - 1)m₀c² where γ = 1/√(1 - v²/c²).
For low speeds (v << c), this formula simplifies back to 1/2 mv².
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Fun Facts
"At 99% the speed of light, an object has a gamma factor of about 7, meaning its total energy is 7 times its rest mass energy."
"The Large Hadron Collider accelerates protons to 99.9999991% of the speed of light."
"Mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²) is why mass can be converted into energy in nuclear reactions."
