Kinetic energy
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In physics, the kinetic energy of an object is the form of energy that it possesses due to its motion.
The cars of a roller coaster reach their maximum kinetic energy when at the bottom of the path. When they start rising, the kinetic energy begins to be converted to gravitational potential energy. The sum of kinetic and potential energy in the system remains constant, ignoring losses due to rolling resistance and drag.
Emilie Chatelet portrait by Latour
Émilie du Châtelet
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Gabrielle Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet was a French mathematician and physicist.
Kinetic energy
…from different heights into a block of clay, Gravesande determined that their penetration depth was proportional to the square of their impact speed. Émilie du Châtelet recognized the implications of the experiment and published an explanation. The terms kinetic energy and work in their present scientific meanings date…
The frontispiece to Voltaire's Elements of the Philosophy of Newton depicts du Châtelet above Voltaire, with light descending from Newton through her to Voltaire.
The Château de Cirey, where du Châtelet and Voltaire lived and worked together
The château of Lunéville