A fuel cell currently under development for powering small electronic devices is based on the reaction of methanol and oxygen using an acidic electrolyte. The reductant in the cell reaction and the half reaction at the anode are A. methanol O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e− → 2H2O(l) B. oxygen O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e− → 2H2O(l) C. methanol CH3OH(g) + H2O(l) → CO2(g) + 6H+(aq) + 6e− D. oxygen CH3OH(g) + H2O(l) → CO2(g) + 6H+(aq) + 6e−

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A fuel cell currently under development for powering small electronic devices is based on the reaction of methanol and oxygen using an acidic electrolyte - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 17 - 2007 - Paper 1

Question 17

A fuel cell currently under development for powering small electronic devices is based on the reaction of methanol and oxygen using an acidic electrolyte. The reduc... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A fuel cell currently under development for powering small electronic devices is based on the reaction of methanol and oxygen using an acidic electrolyte - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 17 - 2007 - Paper 1

Step 1

Identify the Reductant

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Answer

In the context of a fuel cell using methanol and oxygen, the reductant is the substance that loses electrons during the chemical reaction. In this case, methanol (CH3OH) acts as the reductant.

Step 2

Half Reaction at the Anode

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Answer

At the anode, the oxidation half-reaction involves methanol reacting with water to produce carbon dioxide, protons, and electrons. The half reaction can be written as:

$CH_3OH(g) + H_2O(l) \rightarrow CO_2(g) + 6H^+(aq) + 6e^-$

This is a clear representation of the anode reaction for methanol in an acidic medium.

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