Chemical energy is a form of potential energy that is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. When chemical reactions occur, this energy can be released or absorbed. The energy is stored in the bonds between atoms and molecules, and can be released through chemical reactions such as combustion, metabolism, or oxidation.
Examples of chemical energy include the combustion of gasoline in a car engine, the metabolism of food in the human body, and the oxidation of metal in a battery.
When studying chemical energy, it's important to understand the following: