PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 184: Answer and Explanation

Question: 184

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. The equation represents the kinetic energy in joules of an object with a mass of m kilograms traveling at a speed of v meters per second. What is the kinetic energy in joules of an unmanned aircraft that has a mass of 2 × 10³ kilograms traveling at a speed of approximately 3 × 10³ meters per second?

• A. 9 × 5⁹
• B. 9 × 10⁸
• C. 9 × 10⁹
• D. 1.8 × 10¹⁰

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

Difficulty: Easy

Category: Passport to Advanced Math/Exponents

Getting to the Answer: Substitute the values given in the question into the formula. Then, simplify using the rules of exponents. Remember, when raising a power to a power, you multiply the exponents:

Choice (C) is correct.