a. What is a fuel cell?
Fuel cells are a type of galvanic cell or a cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 4
a. What is a fuel cell?
Fuel cells are a type of galvanic cell or a cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. They require a constant supply of rea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a. What is a fuel cell?
Fuel cells are a type of galvanic cell or a cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is a fuel cell?
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Answer
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. It operates similarly to a galvanic cell and requires a continuous supply of reactants to sustain its operation.
Step 2
Name the species that crosses the membrane to enable fuel cell operation.
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Answer
The species that crosses the membrane in a fuel cell operation is protons (H+).
Step 3
Indicate the direction of flow of the species named in part b.i.
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Answer
In the ethanol fuel cell, protons flow from the anode to the cathode through the membrane.
Step 4
Write the equation for the reaction that occurs at the anode of an ethanol fuel cell, which produces carbon dioxide and uses an acidic electrolyte.
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Answer
The equation for the reaction at the anode of an ethanol fuel cell is:
C2H5OH+3O2→2CO2(aq)+12H+(aq)+12e−
Step 5
If an ethanol fuel cell is operating at 25 °C and at 100% efficiency, how much electrical energy could be produced from 1.0 g of ethanol?
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Answer
To calculate the energy produced:
Energy = Mass × Energy per gram
Given that energy per gram of ethanol is 29.6 kJ/g, we have:
