---
title: "Kinetic Energy — AP Environmental Science Definition"
description: "Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, depending on mass and velocity. In AP Enviro, it's how moving water spins turbines to generate hydroelectric power (Topic 6.9)."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-enviro/key-terms/kinetic-energy"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Environmental Science"
---

# Kinetic Energy — AP Environmental Science Definition

## Definition

Kinetic energy refers to the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It is dependent on both the mass and velocity of the object.

## Related Study Guides

- [6.9 Hydroelectric Power](/ap-enviro/unit-6/hydroelectric-power/study-guide/r95V6RauJ8xe1P3Os36x)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Potential Energy: The stored energy an object has based on its position or condition.
- Conservation of Energy: The principle that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
- Mechanical Energy: The sum of an object's potential and kinetic energies.