The energy in a moving car is an example of

1. Analyze the question The question asks what type of energy a car has because it is moving. The key word is "moving."

2. Explain the concept

• Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy a body has because of its motion. The formula is KE = ½mv², where m is mass and v is speed.
• Potential energy (PE) is the energy a body has because of its position or state (for example, a stone held high up, or a stretched spring). The formula for gravitational PE is PE = mgh.
• Electrical energy is energy from moving charges (current). It is not the energy a car has from moving along a road.
• Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy. A moving car does have mechanical energy, but this is a broad term, not the most specific answer.

3. Step-by-step solution

• The car is moving, so it has energy due to motion.
• Energy due to motion is kinetic energy, KE = ½mv².
• The car is not being described by its height, or by something stored such as a compressed spring, so potential energy does not fit.
• Electrical energy does not apply, because the question is not about a current or a battery.
• Option A (mechanical energy) is technically true, since KE is a form of mechanical energy. But the question asks for the energy of a car in motion, and the most precise answer is kinetic energy.

4. Answer The correct option is D. Kinetic energy.

5. Exam tip Look for keywords in the question:

• "Moving" or "motion" → Kinetic
• "Position," "height," "stored," or "stretched" → Potential

When two options are both true (like mechanical and kinetic), pick the one that is most specific to the situation described.