SC16 Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells

Question 1

What is a simple cell?

Answer 1

Source of electrical energy

Question 2

What are the two types of cells ?

Answer 2

Chemical cells and Fuel cells

Question 3

What causes chemical reactions to stop?

Answer 3

When one of the reactants have run out

Question 4

How does reactivity play into the amount of voltage a chemical cell produces?

Answer 4

The greater the difference in the metals reactivity, the greater the voltage produced

Question 5

What is a chemical cell?

Answer 5

Devices that produce a potential difference due to the reaction between reactants stored inside it

Question 6

What is a fuel cell?

Answer 6

An electrochemical cell in which a fuel donates electrons at one electrode and oxygen gains electrons at the other electrode

Question 7

What is the difference between a fuel cell and a chemical cell in terms of how long it lasts?

Answer 7

A fuel cell does not go flat, whereas a chemical cell does once the reactants are used up

Question 8

What is the reaction that takes place inside a chemical cell?

Answer 8

displacement reaction

Question 9

What is the reaction that takes place within a fuel cell?

Answer 9

Oxidation of hydrogen to produce water

Question 10

What are the advantages of fuel cells?

Answer 10

• do not produce any pollution, only produce water
• produce more energy per kg than petrol or diesel
• no power lost in transmission as there are no internal parts
• no bateries to dispose of
• continuous process and will supply fuel as long as fuel is supplied
• less noise pollution

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of fuel cells?

Answer 11

• materials used in producing fuel cells are expensive
• high pressure tanks are needed to store the oxygen and hydrogen in sufficient amounts, which are dangerous and difficult to handle
• fuel cells are affected by low temps
• hydrogen more expensive to produce and store