Which of the following best defines potential energy?

Potential energy is best defined as stored energy based on an object's position. This form of energy arises from an object's location in a gravitational field, among other factors. For example, an object raised to a height has gravitational potential energy because of its position relative to the ground; the higher it is, the more potential energy it possesses due to the gravitational force acting on it. This energy can be converted into kinetic energy when the object is allowed to fall, illustrating how potential energy relates to an object's position.

Other definitions, such as energy due to motion or energy that is converted into work, pertain to different concepts, namely kinetic energy and the principles of work-energy transfer. Additionally, the notion that energy cannot change is an inaccurate representation of energy dynamics, as energy can indeed transform from one form to another while being conserved in a closed system. Thus, the definition of potential energy as stored energy based on an object's position crucially highlights its relationship to location and the potential to do work when conditions allow.