Which of the following is NOT considered one of the basic components of matter?

Energy is not considered one of the basic components of matter. Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies space, which encompasses physical substances like atoms and molecules. Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, combining to form molecules, which are groups of atoms bonded together. Particles generally refer to small units of matter, encompassing atoms and molecules, which further illustrates that they are part of the category of matter.

In contrast, energy is a separate concept that refers to the capacity to do work or produce change. While energy can interact with matter (for example, through heat transfer or work), it does not have mass or occupy space in the way that matter does. Therefore, energy stands apart from the basic components of matter, affirming why it is the correct choice in this context.