What type of potential does a bond hold for later use?

A bond holds potential energy, which is the energy stored within a system that has the capacity to do work. In the context of chemical bonds, this stored energy can be released during a chemical reaction when bonds are broken and formed. The energy that is released can be harnessed to perform work or drive processes in living organisms or in chemical systems.

Kinetic energy refers to the energy of motion and is not associated with the stored form of energy that bonds represent. Electromagnetic energy involves the energy carried by electromagnetic waves, which is also distinct from the concept of energy stored in chemical bonds. Thermal energy relates to the internal energy present in a system due to the random motions of its particles, which is again separate from the potential stored in chemical interactions. Therefore, recognizing that bonds function as a source of stored energy distinguishes potential energy as the correct answer.