What type of energy is stored due to position, such as a stretched spring?

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

Answer: (B)

Energy stored due to position or deformation is potential energy. For a stretched spring, this is elastic potential energy, given by (1/2) k x^2, where k is the spring constant and x is how far the spring is stretched from its rest length. This stored energy exists specifically because of the spring’s displacement from equilibrium, and when released it can do work by transforming into kinetic energy as the spring returns to its unstretched length.

Kinetic energy, in contrast, is the energy an object has from its motion. Thermal energy comes from the random motion of particles within a substance and relates to temperature. Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of molecules and released during chemical reactions.