The energy associated with an object's position is termed which type of energy?

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

Answer: (D)

Potential energy is the energy stored because of an object's position within a force field. For example, raising an object increases gravitational potential energy (mgh); when released, that energy can convert to kinetic energy as the object moves. Elastic potential energy stores energy when a spring is stretched or compressed. This differs from kinetic energy, which comes from motion; photon energy, energy of light quanta; and thermal energy, related to temperature and microscopic motion.