# Formula One glossary

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Keel

A keel is originally the body extension on the underside of a boat to stabilise it in the water. Due to its shape, the downward extensions of the nose cone to connect the front suspension to the car are also called keels. The extensions were necessary because of the introduction of high noses, but by now most teams have adapted the suspension components to it and use a zero keel system. Before that, there were single keel setups (one central part under the nosecone where the lower frontal wishbones connected to) and twin keels (one extension on each side, instead of a central keel).

Kevlar

A synthetic fibre used in car construction, very strong, light and fire resistant

Kilometer

(km) A unit of length. 1000 m = 1 km = 0.6213712 miles

Kinetic energy

The mechanical energy possessed by a body due to its motion. It may be calculated from the formula: $\small{E_k=\frac12mv^2}$.

Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS)

Kinetic Energy Recovery System. A mechanic or electric system that absorbs energy while a car is braking and retains it for later use. Mostly, a flywheel is made spinning to store kinetic energy or batteries are charged through an electric motor. Such devices are used as of 2009 in Formula One and help acceleration out of corners.