Potential energy becomes __________ when allowed to move.

When potential energy is allowed to move, it is converted into kinetic energy. Potential energy refers to the stored energy in an object due to its position or configuration. For instance, when an object is elevated, it has gravitational potential energy. Once this object is released and begins to fall, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion.

Kinetic energy is directly related to the movement of an object; the faster it moves, the more kinetic energy it possesses. Understanding this conversion is crucial in the study of mechanics and energy transformations.

The other options do not represent the correct conversion of energy in this context. Elastic energy refers specifically to the potential energy stored in elastic materials when they are deformed. Emotional energy is a psychological term not related to physical energy forms. Static energy doesn't pertain to a recognized category of energy transformation and does not accurately describe the movement of energy from potential to kinetic. Thus, kinetic energy is the right choice as it directly corresponds to the energy associated with movement.