What type of energy is stored by an object's position?

Potential energy is the type of energy stored by an object due to its position or configuration. This energy is associated with the gravitational force acting on an object at a height; for example, when an object is raised above the ground, it stores potential energy because of its elevated position in a gravitational field.

When the object is released from that height, the potential energy converts into kinetic energy as it falls, demonstrating the principle of conservation of energy. This concept is crucial in understanding many physical systems and phenomena, including how energy is transferred and transformed during movement and interactions.

In contrast, kinetic energy relates to the motion of an object rather than its position. Thermal energy pertains to the internal energy present in a substance due to the random motion of its particles, while nuclear energy involves the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom. Therefore, potential energy is uniquely defined by an object's position, setting it apart from the other types of energy mentioned.