Answer: Option (a) is the correct answer.
Explanation:
As potential energy is the energy obtained by a substance or object due to its position.
So, when a chemical bond is formed between energy is located at a particular position due to which there exists a chemical potential energy.
Therefore, as the bond begins to form, the force between the atoms becomes more (attractive, repulsive) which means the bond reaches to a higher position.
Hence, there will be an increase in potential energy.
Thus, we can conclude that as the bond begins to form, the force between the atoms becomes more (attractive, repulsive) and the potential energy increases.