Which type of energy is associated with motion?

Kinetic energy is the type of energy that is directly associated with the motion of an object. When an object is in motion, it has kinetic energy, which depends on both its mass and the velocity at which it is moving. The formula for kinetic energy is given by ( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 ), where ( m ) is the mass of the object and ( v ) is its velocity. This relationship illustrates that as the speed of an object increases, its kinetic energy increases significantly, reflecting the direct connection between motion and kinetic energy.

Potential energy, in contrast, refers to the stored energy in an object due to its position or state, rather than its motion. Thermal energy is associated with the internal energy of particles within a substance, reflecting their temperature and not directly linked to general motion. Mechanical energy encompasses both potential and kinetic energy but does not specify that which is solely associated with motion. Thus, while mechanical energy involves kinetic energy as a component, the primary answer that clearly identifies energy due to motion is kinetic energy.