Kinetic energy calculation

[Bellerophon]

Zoyberg

... Bookworm (who I can't get hold of) advised that the energy of a 50 tonne aircraft travelling at 140 knots (70 metres/second) equated to 125 M ...

• A 50 tonne aircraft travelling at 140 kts has a kinetic energy of: 129.68 MJ

• A 50 tonne aircraft travelling at 70m/s has a kinetic energy of: 122.50 MJ

• A 51 tonne aircraft travelling at 119 kts has a kinetic energy of: 95.57 MJ

• A 60 tonne aircraft travelling at 142 kts has a kinetic energy of: 160.09 MJ

The answer to your question is that the B737 has almost 68% more kinetic energy at touchdown than the A319, or, alternatively, that the A319 has roughly 40% less kinetic energy at touchdown than the B737.


Kinetic Energy = Half the mass multiplied by the speed squared.

The formula: KE = ½ x M x V2

Use kilograms (as units of mass) and metres per second (as units of speed) and your answer will then be in Joules, divide by one million to get Mega Joules.


Best Regards

Bellerophon