Photo AI
Explain two environmental benefits of using hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles in modern urban transportation - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question Question 1 - 2022
Question Question 1
Explain two environmental benefits of using hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles in modern urban transportation. Explain the term allotropy in relation to iron.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two environmental benefits of using hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles in modern urban transportation - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question Question 1 - 2022
Step 1
Explain two environmental benefits of using hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles in modern urban transportation.
Answer
-
Reduction of Harmful Emissions: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles only emit water vapor and oxygen as byproducts. Unlike conventional vehicles that produce harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
-
Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By substituting fossil fuels with hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable sources, these vehicles help lower the overall greenhouse gas emissions. This shift supports climate change mitigation efforts by reducing humanity's carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, aiding in the fight against global warming.
Step 2
Explain the term allotropy in relation to iron.
Answer
Allotropy refers to the existence of two or more different physical forms of an element in the same phase. For iron, it exhibits allotropy by existing in two distinct forms at different temperatures:
- Alpha iron (Ferrite): This form is stable at room temperature and up to 912 °C. It has a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure.
- Gamma iron (Austenite): This form is stable between 912 °C and 1394 °C, characterized by a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The ability of iron to exist in these different forms has significant implications on its properties and uses in various applications.