When looking at the formula for kinetic energy (E = ½mv²), one variable profoundly dominates the outcome: Velocity.

Because velocity is squared, slight increases in speed yield massive increases in total energy. For example, if you take a 100-grain bullet and double its weight to 200 grains, the energy exactly doubles.

However, if you take that same 100-grain bullet and double its velocity from 1,000 fps to 2,000 fps, its total kinetic energy doesn't double—it quadruples from roughly 222 ft-lbs to 888 ft-lbs. This physical reality is why lightweight, hyper-velocity rifle rounds (.223 Rem, .22-250) can produce devastating terminal effects that rival slow, extremely heavy projectiles (.45-70 Govt).