Question 1 Medium
Give one reason why a rechargeable battery is not a fuel cell.
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Answer: its reactants are inside the battery and it is recharged
- A battery has its reactants inside.
- It is recharged, not refuelled.
Chemical cells and fuel cells: GCSE Combined Science Chemistry practice questions
A second set of questions on chemical cells and fuel cells. They are different from the ones on the topic page. Try each, then open the answer and compare your working.
More questions
Question 2 Medium
Why is the voltage of a cell zero if both electrodes are made of copper?
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Answer: there is no difference in reactivity
- There is no difference in reactivity.
- So no electrons flow.
Question 3 Medium
A simple cell uses zinc and copper. Which metal do the electrons flow away from?
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Answer: zinc
- Electrons leave the more reactive metal.
- Zinc is more reactive than copper.
Question 4 Medium
Name the type of battery that can be used again by passing a current through it the opposite way.
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Answer: rechargeable
- The current reverses the reaction.
- The reactants are made again.
Question 5 Hard
Write the equation for the overall reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell.
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Answer: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
- Hydrogen reacts with oxygen.
- The product is water.
Question 6 Hard
Write the half equation for hydrogen at the negative electrode of a hydrogen fuel cell in acid.
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Answer: H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻
- Hydrogen loses electrons.
- H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻
Question 7 Hard
Give one environmental disadvantage of using hydrogen fuel cells in cars.
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Answer: hydrogen is often made from fossil fuels
- Hydrogen is often made from fossil fuels.
- This causes carbon dioxide emissions.
Question 8 Hard
Explain why a hydrogen fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery are different in the way they store energy.
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Answer: a fuel cell is supplied with hydrogen and a battery stores its chemicals inside
- A fuel cell uses fuel supplied from outside.
- A battery has the chemicals inside and is recharged.
Quick checks
Short questions with options. Choose one before you open the answer.
Check 1
What is a chemical cell?
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A device that makes electricity from a chemical reaction.
Check 2
What does a simple cell need?
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Two different metals and an electrolyte.
Check 3
What decides the voltage of a simple cell?
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The difference in reactivity of the metals and the electrolyte.
Check 4
What is an electrolyte?
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A solution or liquid that conducts electricity.
Check 5
What is a battery?
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Two or more cells connected together.
Check 6
Why does a non-rechargeable battery go flat?
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The reactants are used up.
Check 7
How is a rechargeable battery recharged?
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An electric current reverses the reaction.
Check 8
What is a fuel cell?
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A cell that makes electricity from a fuel and oxygen supplied from outside.
Check 9
What is the overall reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell?
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2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.
Check 10
What is the only product of a hydrogen fuel cell?
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Water.
Check 11
What happens to hydrogen in a fuel cell?
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It is oxidised.
Check 12
Give one advantage of a hydrogen fuel cell.
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It only produces water.
Check 13
Give one disadvantage of a hydrogen fuel cell.
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Hydrogen is hard to store and flammable.
Check 14
Give one disadvantage of a rechargeable battery.
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It takes time to charge and has a limited life.
Check 15
Which electrode do electrons leave from in a simple cell?
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The more reactive metal.
Check 16
What are the electrodes in a simple cell?
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The two different metals.
Check 17
Which way do electrons flow through the wire in a simple cell?
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From the more reactive metal to the less reactive metal.
Check 18
What is the voltage if both metals in a cell are the same?
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Zero.
Check 19
Is an alkaline battery rechargeable?
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No. Its reaction cannot be reversed.
Check 20
Give an example of a rechargeable battery.
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A lithium-ion battery.
Check 21
What happens at the negative electrode of a hydrogen fuel cell?
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Hydrogen is oxidised: H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻.
Check 22
What happens to oxygen at the positive electrode of a hydrogen fuel cell?
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It is reduced to make water: O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O.
Check 23
What does oxidation mean in terms of electrons?
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Loss of electrons.
Check 24
Does a hydrogen fuel cell need to be recharged?
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No. It works for as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied.
Check 25
Why is making hydrogen not always clean?
Show answer
Most hydrogen is made from fossil fuels, which uses energy and causes pollution.
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