Topic 3,4,5 - Acids, Metals & Fuels: Fuel Cells

Question 1

What are the advantages of using hydrogen to power cars, compared to other fuels?

Answer 1

E.g. the combustion of hydrogen in oxygen produces no pollution as it only produces water. / using hydrogen could reduce our dependence on crude oil.

Question 2

What happens in a simple hydrogen fuel cell?

Answer 2

Hydrogen and oxygen react to produce water. The reaction also releases energy.

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of using hydrogen to power cars, compared to other fuels?

Answer 3

E.g. you need energy from fossil fuels to make hydrogen from electrolysis. / You’d need to rely on crude oil to get hydrogen from hydrocarbons. / hydrogen takes up more storage space than liquid fuels./ Hydrogen is explosive so it’s difficult to store safely.