What term describes the energy created by the combination or decomposition of chemical compounds?

The correct term that describes the energy created by the combination or decomposition of chemical compounds is chemical energy. This form of energy is inherently associated with the interactions of atoms and molecules during chemical reactions. When bonds between atoms break or form, energy is either absorbed or released, demonstrating the transformation of matter through these chemical processes.

In practical terms, whenever substances undergo a reaction—such as combustion—in which fuels combine with oxygen, energy is released in the form of heat and light. This release or absorption of energy is a clear indication of the underlying chemical changes occurring within the compounds involved. Understanding chemical energy is essential in fields like fire science, where reactions are foundational to combustion processes and heat generation.

Other forms of energy, such as electrical or mechanical energy, arise from different physical processes and do not directly correspond to the interactions at the molecular level that characterize chemical reactions. Nuclear energy, while also related to energy transformation, is derived specifically from changes in the nuclei of atoms, not from chemical reactions. Hence, chemical energy is the most appropriate and specific term describing the energy tied to chemical compound interactions.