Fuel Cells Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is a fuel cell?

A cell supplied by an external source of fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and oxygen or air, in which the fuel is oxidised electrochemically to produce a potential difference.

What is the overall equation for the reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell?

2H2+O2→2H2O2\mathrm{H_2} + \mathrm{O_2} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{H_2O}

How does a hydrogen fuel cell produce a potential difference?

Hydrogen is oxidised electrochemically (it loses electrons) to produce water.

Give two advantages of hydrogen fuel cells compared with rechargeable cells and batteries.

No toxic chemicals to dispose of at the end of the cell's life; they take less time to refuel and travel further before refuelling; no loss of efficiency over time.

Give two disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells compared with rechargeable cells and batteries.

Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas that is difficult to store and there are few refuelling stations; energy is needed to produce the hydrogen fuel.

True or false? A hydrogen fuel cell must be recharged from an external electrical supply once its reactants run out.

False. It keeps producing a potential difference as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied from outside the cell.