What is the definition of chemical potential energy and gravitational potential energy?
An object at a higher altitude has more potential energy than one at a lower altitude because that energy can be converted into kinetic energy by dropping it to the lower altitude. A chemical reaction is either exothermic or endothermic. By exothermic, energy is given off in the form of heat (burning) hence the reactants are at a higher chemical potential energy than the products of the reaction. Vice versa with endothermic reactions.
