fuel cells

• what do fuel cells do?

  convert energy from fuel and oxygen -> electrical energy
• what does a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell do?

  combine to form water and generates lots of electrical energy
• what is the anode?

  negative
• what is the cathode?

  positive
• hydrogen is oxidised and loses electrons at the anode which passes through the wire to the cathode

  the hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte to the cathode

  they both react with the oxygen there and combine to make water
• what happens in a fuel cell in simple?

  a fuel (hydrogen) enters the cell and becomes oxidised (loses electrons) and sets up a potential difference
• what is oxidisation?

  losing electrons
• what is reduction?

  gaining electrons
• what are the pros?

  hydrogen and oxygen are abundant

  don't produce pollutants

  and it long lasting
• what are the cons?

  hydrogen needs lots of space to store and becomes explosive when mixed with air so storage is dangerous

  requires energy from fossil fuels