Science calculator

Energy, work and power.

Solve kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, work done or power. Choose the relationship, type the values you know and leave the unknown blank; the answer appears on the display. GCSE physics, with the assumptions stated below.

Relationship

Kinetic energy E_k

Mass m

Speed v

Kinetic energy Eₖ

—

Eₖ = ½mv²

Display precision

E_{k} = \frac{1}{2} m v^{2}

Δ E_{p} = m g Δ h

W = F s

P = \frac{W}{t}

E_k kinetic energy (J) · ΔE_p change in gravitational potential energy (J) · m mass (kg) · v speed (m/s)
g gravitational field strength (N/kg) · Δh height change (m) · W work or energy transferred (J) · F force component (N) · s displacement (m) · P average power (W) · t time (s)

Assumptions

Kinetic energy is classical translational energy: mass is positive, speed is a non-negative magnitude, and relativistic effects are negligible.
For gravitational potential energy, g is uniform over the height change. The preset 9.81 N/kg is suitable near Earth's surface; choose a reference height and keep the sign of Δh.
W = Fs uses the constant component of force parallel to the displacement. A force opposite to the displacement does negative work.
P = W/t gives average power over a positive time interval, not an instantaneous value.
Calculations use SI units internally; the unit menus convert at the edges.

How it works

Choose the relationship that matches the question, then leave its unknown quantity blank. The calculator rearranges that equation and states the equation it used, which mirrors the working expected in a GCSE physics calculation.

Energy is measured in joules. Work is an energy transfer, while power is the rate of energy transfer: one watt is one joule per second. Gravitational potential energy is a change relative to a chosen height, so raising and lowering can carry opposite signs.

Results use up to three significant figures by default (adjustable above). Trailing zeroes are not added just to fill the chosen limit. Computation keeps full JavaScript number precision and rounds only the displayed result; your input measurements still set the real limit.

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