Potential energy is the energy that a body possesses due to its position relative to other bodies. In the cartoon version of potential and kinetic energy, the anvil held high above Wiley Coyote's head possesses potential energy, through its gravitational attraction to the Earth. When the anvil is released, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, energy of motion. When it strikes the hapless coyote, it is reconverted to potential energy. Let's consider a more scientific description of kinetic and potential energy.
Kinetic energy is energy of motion .
Absolute Temperature, K, is a measure of the average translational kinetic energy of a system. Rotational and vibrational kinetic energy arise from the more ordered motion of atoms in molecules. K.E. rotation arises from the rotation of a molecule and K.E. vibration involves the stretching and bending of the bonds between the atoms of the molecule. The energy arises through the interaction of charged particles over distance. Since nuclei carry positive charges, the sign of this component of the potential energy carries a positive sign.