What type of energy involves the motion and position of physical objects?

Mechanical energy is the type of energy that encompasses both the motion and position of physical objects. It is a combination of kinetic energy, which is the energy of an object in motion, and potential energy, which is the energy stored due to an object's position or configuration. For example, a moving car possesses kinetic energy due to its motion, while a drawn bow has potential energy due to the position of the string being pulled back.

This concept illustrates how mechanical energy is a key factor in various systems and processes where the behavior of objects can be predicted based on their motion and positional attributes. Thus, mechanical energy is fundamental in understanding the physical world, from simple machines to complex dynamics in engineering and physics.