What type of energy do batteries store?

Batteries store energy in the form of chemical potential energy. This type of energy is inherent to the chemical compounds within the battery, which undergo a chemical reaction when the battery is in use. During this reaction, chemical bonds are broken and formed, allowing the stored energy to be converted into electrical energy that powers devices.

In a battery, the chemical potential energy is associated with the arrangement of atoms and the types of chemical bonds in the materials making up the electrodes and electrolyte. When the battery discharges, the energy is released as electricity, powering electronic devices or motors.

Other energy types mentioned, such as thermal, nuclear, and mechanical energy, do not represent how batteries function. Thermal energy refers to the energy that comes from the temperature of substances, nuclear energy is derived from changes in an atom's nucleus, and mechanical energy pertains to energy in moving objects or systems. These forms of energy are not relevant to the energy storage and release processes that occur in batteries.