Final answer:
Chemical energy is the energy stored in chemical bonds, a type of potential energy crucial for powering both biological processes and mechanical functions, such as those in a car engine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy stored in chemical bonds is known as chemical energy. This form of energy is a type of potential energy that is released or absorbed when chemical bonds are formed or broken during chemical reactions. For example, when gasoline combusts in a car's engine, chemical energy stored in the gasoline molecules is transformed into mechanical energy, which moves the engine's pistons.
Chemical energy is crucial for various processes and functions. It powers the human body by enabling the molecular reactions required for life, and it is a key component in other energy conversions involving heat, light, or electrical energy.
In summary, chemical energy is one of the five main forms of energy and is intrinsically linked to the structure and composition of chemical compounds.