Final answer:
Chemical bonds are a form of potential energy due to the electrical forces between electrons and nuclei. Energy is released when these bonds form and needed when they break.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical bonds are indeed a form of potential energy. This energy is related to the electrical forces between negatively charged electrons and positively charged nuclei within atoms. When a chemical bond forms, energy is released, indicating that potential energy was stored in the bond. Conversely, when a bond is broken, it requires an input of energy, suggesting the release of the potential energy that was held in the bond. This interplay of energy is fundamental in chemical reactions where bonds are both broken and formed.