The energy an object has from its position or condition, like a ball on a hill or a stretched spring, is called potential energy. Potential energy is stored energy that has the potential to do work due to an object's position or state.
Imagine you're holding a grocery bag at the top of a staircase, debating whether to carry it down or leave it for later. This decision is similar to the concept of potential energy because just as the bag has potential to move down the stairs, objects have energy stored due to their position or condition. In this case, the grocery bag is like a ball on a hill; both have energy ready to be released due to their elevated positions, and choosing when to release that energy—whether by carrying the bag down or letting the ball roll—is up to you.
