4.5.2 Chemical cells and fuel cells

What do chemical cells do?

Use chemical reactions between two different metals in an electrolyte to produce electricity

What does the voltage in chemical cells depend on?

Type of metals used (greater difference in reactivity = higher voltage) and the electrolyte used

What is a battery made up of?

Multiple cells joined together

What’s the difference between non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries?

In non-rechargeable batteries the chemical reaction is one-way, in rechargeable batteries the reaction can reversed by passing electricity through it

What’s an example of a non-rechargeable battery?

Alkaline batteries

What’s an example of a rechargeable battery?

Lithium-ion batteries

What’s a fuel cell?

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy

What’s the equation for hydrogen fuel cells?

Hydrogen + Oxygen - Water + Electricity

What’s the equation for the anode half cell?

H2 → 2e– + 2H

What’s the equation for the cathode half cell?

4H + O2 + 4e– → 2H2O

What are the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells?

No CO2 emissions, efficient, reliable energy supply

What are the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells?

Hydrogen is hard to store and transport, it requires energy to produce hydrogen (often from fossil fuels)