Which of the following is NOT a form of energy that can be wasted?

Wasted energy typically refers to energy that is not used for its intended purpose and is often lost in the form of heat or other unusable forms. In this context, potential energy is not a form of energy that gets wasted in usual energy transformations.

Potential energy refers to the energy stored in an object due to its position, for example, a ball held at a height or a compressed spring. This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, without necessarily being wasted. When the ball is dropped, the potential energy transforms into kinetic energy during its fall, demonstrating that it can be utilized effectively.

On the other hand, mechanical energy can often be lost through friction, radiant energy could dissipate as light disperses, and thermal energy can escape into the environment as heat. Therefore, potential energy stands out as it does not inherently transform into a wasted form in normal scenarios; it is a valuable resource that can be converted efficiently.