Which of the following describes potential energy?

Potential energy is best defined as stored energy based on the position of an object in a force field, such as a gravitational field. This type of energy is contingent upon the height of the object relative to a reference point; the higher the object is positioned, the greater its potential energy due to its ability to perform work as it moves downward under the influence of gravity.

Potential energy can also be found in various forms, such as elastic potential energy in a compressed spring or gravitational potential energy in a mass at a height. The key aspect is that potential energy represents energy that is "stored" and has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy when the object is released or allowed to move.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the characteristics of potential energy. Continuous flow pertains to kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. Energy generated by a chemical reaction refers to chemical energy, and energy associated with temperature pertains to thermal energy. None of these accurately describe the nature of potential energy, making the description of it as stored energy based on position the most appropriate.