Kinetic energy refers to the work capacity required to set a body in motion. Mass and speed play a role here in order to set an object in motion from a state of rest. Synonyms for kinetic energy are therefore kinetic energy or velocity energy. In the military sector or in weapons technology, kinetic energy is used to determine the muzzle energy of projectiles E0 (expressed in joules). This results in the following formula for calculating kinetic energy:
Formula for calculating the kinetic energy
In English-speaking countries, the unit of measurement foot-pound is sometimes used instead of joule to calculate kinetic energy. This measure - abbreviated as ft-lb - corresponds to the effort required to lift a body with a mass of one pound by one foot. One foot-pound is approximately 1.36 joules. The unit of measurement is mainly used in Great Britain and the United States.
The actual impact energy must be distinguished from the kinetic energy. This describes the kinetic energy that the projectile still has when it hits the target. The flight of a projectile is also influenced by other factors, including air resistance, wind and length of flight. These parameters interact with the projectile and its aerodynamic properties, which is why these are also optimized during development. This applies in particular to long-range projectiles. For these reasons, the calculation of the kinetic energy at launch alone cannot provide a clear indication of the exact impact energy, as these different variables must first be taken into account.
Kinetic energy in special vehicle construction
Kinetic energy is an important measurement variable in special vehicle construction, as the production of special parts with armor is an important aspect of work in this industry. With regard to ballistic protection, the kinetic energy of different projectiles can be used as a standardized test variable for the effectiveness of armouring in special vehicle construction for the military and other protective vehicles. To determine the effectiveness of ballistic protection systems, the parts intended for this purpose are subjected to a series of safety tests. Depending on its resistance, a special protection vehicle can then be assigned to a specific vehicle protection class. In addition to military use, there is a selection of armored vehicles for people who require permanent protection - including statesmen, diplomats and high-ranking managers.
