AFOQT Practice Test

Which type of energy is stored in chemical bonds?

1. Electrical energy

2. Chemical potential energy

3. Potential energy

4. Atomic energy

The correct answer is: Chemical potential energy

Chemical potential energy is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the energy that is stored within the chemical bonds of molecules. When chemical reactions occur, this stored energy can be released or absorbed as bonds are formed or broken. This type of energy plays a crucial role in various processes like combustion and metabolism, where the energy stored in chemical bonds is transformed into other forms of energy that can perform work. Understanding chemical potential energy is essential in fields such as chemistry and energy sciences, as it helps explain how energy transitions occur in reactions. The other options do not accurately describe the energy associated with chemical bonds. For instance, electrical energy pertains to the movement of electrons and is not specifically linked to the bonds in molecules. Potential energy is a broader term that can refer to stored energy in various contexts, but it does not specifically denote the energy in chemical bonds. Atomic energy usually refers to energy associated with nuclear reactions, which is fundamentally different from the energy associated with chemical bonds.