What term is used for energy that is stored?

The term used for energy that is stored is potential energy. This form of energy is associated with the position or configuration of an object within a physical system. For example, when an object is lifted to a height, it possesses gravitational potential energy due to its position in the gravitational field. Similarly, a compressed spring contains elastic potential energy due to its deformation.

Understanding potential energy is crucial in various scientific contexts, such as in mechanical systems, chemical reactions, and even biological processes. It provides a foundation for the concept that energy can be transformed from one form to another, such as when potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as an object falls.