What kind of energy does a speeding bullet possess?

• A. Potential
• B. Thermal
• C. Kinetic
• D. Nuclear

Answer: (C)

Energy tied to motion is kinetic energy. A speeding bullet has kinetic energy because it is moving, and its energy depends on both its mass and the square of its speed (K = 1/2 m v^2). As velocity increases, energy grows rapidly, which is why a fast bullet carries a lot of energy that can be transferred to targets on impact.

Potential energy comes from position, such as height, but a bullet in flight on level ground isn’t storing much potential energy relative to its motion. Thermal energy is related to temperature, not motion at high speed. Nuclear energy comes from changes in the atomic nucleus, which isn’t what's governing a bullet’s energy in this context.