What defines mechanical energy?

Mechanical energy is defined as the total energy of motion and position of an object. This means it encompasses both kinetic energy, which is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, and potential energy, which is the energy stored in an object based on its position relative to other objects or within a gravitational field.

For instance, when you lift an object off the ground, you increase its potential energy because it is now positioned higher and can potentially fall. Similarly, when the object is moving, it has kinetic energy. Therefore, mechanical energy reflects the sum of these two forms of energy, illustrating how energy can be transformed between motion and position.

The other options describe different types of energy: thermal energy is related to heat, chemical energy is associated with molecular bonds, and electrical energy pertains to the work done involving electric charges. Understanding the distinction between these energy types is crucial in recognizing that mechanical energy specifically refers to the energy related to an object's motion and position.