Fuel cells
I can describe how a hydrogen fuel cell works and compare one to an electric cell.
Fuel cells
I can describe how a hydrogen fuel cell works and compare one to an electric cell.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- One type of fuel cell contains hydrogen that reacts with oxygen from the air to produce a voltage.
- Hydrogen used in fuel cells can be extracted from fossil fuels or produced by electrolysis powered by the National Grid.
- Other fuel cells exist, but have other products than just water.
- There are many strengths and weaknesses of fuel cells, and these should be compared against other energy sources.
Keywords
Fuel cell - a device that produces a voltage when supplied with a fuel and oxygen
National Grid - the network that connects all the power stations in the country to make sure that everywhere has access to electricity
Fossil fuel - a fuel that formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms
Common misconception
Confusing electrode reactions with those that occur in electrolysis. For example in a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen is oxidised at the anode but in electrolysis, hydrogen is produced at the cathode.
Discuss the electrode reactions in terms of electron loss or gain; rather that just relying on memory. This will provide pupils with the tools to work out the electrode reactions.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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