Which aspect of energy is measured by potential energy?

Potential energy is defined as the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration relative to other objects. This type of energy is directly related to the gravitational force acting on the object; for instance, an object raised to a certain height possesses potential energy because of its position in a gravitational field.

Potential energy is contingent on factors such as height above a reference point and the mass of the object. This explains why the correct choice focuses on energy stored due to position—it's a fundamental concept in physics that highlights how energy can be stored and released based on an object's location within a force field.

In contrast, kinetic energy pertains to the energy of moving particles, which is not related to the concept of potential energy. Thermal energy is associated with the energy of particles in motion and their interactions, rather than their positions. Lastly, energy lost during deformation relates to how materials behave under stress and strain, which involves mechanisms like internal friction or plastic deformation, rather than energy related to position.