What type of energy is inactive and stored?

The concept of potential energy is key to understanding why it is identified as inactive and stored energy. Potential energy is the energy that is stored within an object due to its position, arrangement, or state. For example, energy stored in a compressed spring or energy found in food molecules is considered potential energy. This energy has the potential to do work when it is released or converted into another form of energy, such as kinetic energy.

In contrast, kinetic energy represents the energy of motion and is actively doing work, hence it is not considered inactive. Mechanical energy includes both potential and kinetic energy, combining both forms, but does not specifically refer to the inactive aspect. Chemical energy, while it is stored within chemical bonds, is typically considered a subset of potential energy, focusing specifically on the energy related to chemical reactions and bonds. Therefore, potential energy is the term that best encompasses the idea of being stored and inactive.