What energy is stored due to an object's position?

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

Answer: (B)

Potential energy is the energy stored due to an object's position in a force field. When you lift an object or stretch a spring, you’re placing it in a position where the force acting on it can do work if released, so energy is stored. For gravity, this stored energy is mgh, increasing with height; for springs, it’s 1/2 kx^2, increasing with how far you compress or stretch. When the object moves or is released, that stored energy can convert into kinetic energy. This distinguishes it from kinetic energy, which comes from motion, and from thermal energy (related to temperature and microscopic motion) or chemical energy (stored in bonds).