What does the term "stored energy" refer to in physics?

Stored energy in physics commonly refers to potential energy. This type of energy is associated with the position of an object within a gravitational field or other fields, such as elastic or electric fields. Potential energy represents the energy an object possesses due to its position or configuration. For example, when an object is elevated to a height, it has gravitational potential energy that can be converted to kinetic energy when it falls.

Other forms of energy mentioned have specific definitions as well. Kinetic energy pertains to the energy of motion, which is not stored but rather associated with the current state of movement of an object. Thermal energy is related to the temperature and kinetic motion of particles within a substance, not stored energy in a positional sense. Nuclear energy, while related to energy stored in atomic nuclei, is a specialized form distinct from the broader category of potential energy. Thus, potential energy is the most accurate representation of "stored energy" in this context.