What type of energy is associated with the position of an object?

Potential energy is the type of energy associated with the position of an object. It is defined as the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. For example, an object held at a height possesses gravitational potential energy, which can be released when the object falls. This stored energy depends not only on the height of the object above the ground but also on the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity.

In contrast, thermal energy relates to the kinetic energy of particles within a substance, reflecting its temperature rather than its position. Chemical energy is the energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds and is released or absorbed during a chemical reaction, rather than being directly related to position. Radiant energy is associated with electromagnetic waves, such as light, and is not connected to the physical position of an object. Understanding these distinctions highlights why potential energy is specifically tied to the position of an object in a gravitational, elastic, or other force field context.