Kinetic Energy of a Gas
1
Kinetic Energy = - m v2
2
Multiply the units on the right side of the equation, using
SI units.
Velocity is distance divided by time, or using SI units,
meters per second. The SI unit for mass is kilograms.
meters meters kilograms meters2
kilograms * ------- * ------- = -----------------
seconds seconds seconds2
A Newton has the units kg m s-2. Recall from Algebra
that a negative superscript indicates that the variable is found
in the denominator.
By placing a Newton in the equation, we remove kilograms, one of the
meters, and both seconds.
The units become Newton meters, and by definition, a Newton meter is a Joule. A joule is the unit for energy.
Pressure is defined as force divided by area.
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Last Revised 01/25/98.
Copyright ©1998 by William L. Dechent. All rights reserved.