AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry: Fuel cells

Energy changes · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.5.2.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Fuel cells", and every card links back to the page it came from. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. What is a fuel cell supplied with from an external source?

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    A fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and oxygen or air.

  2. How does a fuel cell produce a potential difference?

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    The fuel is oxidised electrochemically inside the cell.

  3. In a fuel cell, the fuel is ? electrochemically to produce a potential difference.

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    oxidised

  4. What is the only product of the overall reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell?

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    Water.

  5. What is the overall equation for a hydrogen fuel cell?

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    2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

  6. Hydrogen fuel cells are a potential alternative to which power sources?

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    Rechargeable cells and batteries.

  7. Give one advantage of a hydrogen fuel cell over a rechargeable battery.

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    It keeps producing electricity as long as fuel is supplied (no recharging), and its only product is water.

  8. Give one disadvantage of hydrogen fuel cells compared with rechargeable batteries.

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    Hydrogen is a flammable gas that is difficult to store, and producing it often requires energy from fossil fuels.

  9. (HT) What is the half equation at the negative electrode of a hydrogen fuel cell?

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    H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ (hydrogen is oxidised).

  10. (HT) What is the half equation at the positive electrode of a hydrogen fuel cell?

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    O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O (oxygen is reduced).

  11. Why must the effect of variables on reversible reactions be established in industry?

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    To identify how to maximise the yield of the desired product.

  12. What three goals do chemical engineers balance when optimising an industrial reaction?

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    Enough product, produced in a sufficient time, in an energy-efficient way.

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