Question

How does a fuel cell differ from batteries?

1) In a fuel cell, the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent are supplied continuously to the cell.
2) In a fuel cell, only the oxidizing agent is supplied continuously to the cell.
3) In a fuel cell, the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent are supplied intermittently to the cell.
4) In a fuel cell, only the reducing agent is supplied continuously to the cell.

Answer 1

Fuel cells differ from batteries in that they require continuous supply of reactants, while batteries contain all the necessary reactants within their cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

A fuel cell is a galvanic cell that requires a constant external supply of reactants because the products of the reaction are continuously removed. Unlike a battery, it does not store chemical or electrical energy; a fuel cell allows electrical energy to be extracted directly from a chemical reaction.

Fuel cells are similar to batteries in that they generate an electrical current, but require continuous addition of fuel and oxidizer. The hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce water, and is generally more efficient than internal combustion engines.

In summary, fuel cells and batteries both generate electrical energy, but fuel cells require a continuous supply of reactants to produce electricity, while batteries contain all the reactants needed to produce electricity within their cells.