Which type of energy is associated with an object's position in a gravitational field?

Gravitational potential energy is the type of energy that is associated with an object's position in a gravitational field. This energy is directly related to the height of an object above a reference point, typically the ground. When an object is raised to a higher position, work is done against the force of gravity, which stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy.

The formula for gravitational potential energy can be expressed as ( PE = mgh ), where ( PE ) is gravitational potential energy, ( m ) is the mass of the object, ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity, and ( h ) is the height above the reference point. This highlights that the higher an object is positioned in a gravitational field, the more gravitational potential energy it has.

In contrast, kinetic energy relates to the motion of an object, elastic potential energy pertains to the energy stored in elastic materials when they are stretched or compressed, and chemical energy concerns the energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. Each of these forms of energy plays a different role, but gravitational potential energy is specific to the position of an object within a gravitational field, making it the correct response to the question.