How do batteries store energy?

Batteries store energy primarily as chemical energy. This process involves the use of chemical reactions that occur within the battery. When a battery is charged, energy is supplied to it, causing chemical reactions to take place, which convert this electrical energy into stored chemical energy.

When the battery is used to power a device, these chemical reactions are reversed, and the stored chemical energy is converted back into electrical energy, allowing the device to function. This capability to store and convert energy through chemical reactions is what makes batteries a practical source of power for many applications.

In contrast, the other forms of energy mentioned are not relevant to how batteries operate. Kinetic energy relates to the motion of objects, thermal energy involves heat, and while electrical energy is the output of the battery when it’s in use, it’s not the form in which energy is stored in the battery itself.