Energy stored due to position is called what?

Energy stored due to position is called what?

• A. Kinetic energy
• B. Thermal energy
• C. Chemical energy
• D. Potential energy

Answer: (D)

Potential energy is energy stored due to position. It sits in an object because of where it is or how it’s arranged, and it can be released to do work. For example, a book held above the ground has gravitational potential energy that increases with height, and if it falls, that energy becomes kinetic energy. A stretched or compressed spring stores elastic potential energy, proportional to how far the spring is moved. This type of energy is different from kinetic energy, which comes from motion, and from thermal or chemical energy, which come from temperature or chemical bonds, respectively.

Potential energy is energy stored due to position. It sits in an object because of where it is or how it’s arranged, and it can be released to do work. For example, a book held above the ground has gravitational potential energy that increases with height, and if it falls, that energy becomes kinetic energy. A stretched or compressed spring stores elastic potential energy, proportional to how far the spring is moved. This type of energy is different from kinetic energy, which comes from motion, and from thermal or chemical energy, which come from temperature or chemical bonds, respectively.