Fuel cells

Multiple choice questions

Fuel cell is an electrochemical cell, which can convert energy from the combustion
of fuel such as hydrogen, methanol, etc. directly to electrical energy. Fuel cells
require a continuous source of fuel and oxygen and can therefore produce electricity
continuously. William Grove invented the first fuel cell and it is known as Grove
Voltaic cell. Hydrogen is the most commonly used fuel and it reacts with oxygen to
form water. Fuel cells are also used in the NASA space programme. Fuel cells are
more efficient than thermal plants. The efficiency of fuel cells to produce electricity
is 70%.
1. Which of the following converts energy from the combustion of fuel directly to
the electrical energy?
(a) Ni-Cd cell
(b) Dynamo
(c) Fuel cell
(d) Electrolytic cell

Answer: (c)
2. Which of the following is continuously replaced in a fuel cell?
(a) Oxidiser
(b) Fuel
(c) Both fuel and oxidiser
(d) None of the above

Answer: (c)
3. Which of the following does not affect the reactions in a fuel cell?
(a) Electrolyte composition
(b) Electrode composition
(c) A combination of fuel and oxidiser
(d) Catalytic effect of the reaction container

Answer: (d)
4. Chemical energy is converted to ________ energy by a fuel cell.
(a) solar
(b) electrical
(c) potential
(d) mechanical

Answer: (b)
5. Who invented the fuel cell?
(a) Mathew Maury
(b) Gideon Sundback
(c) Robert Bunsen
(d) William Grove

Answer: (d)
6. Which of the following is incorrect for fuel cells?
(a) They are modular
(b) They are highly efficient
(c) The noise level is very high
(d) The emission level is much below the permissible level

Answer: (c)

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7. Which of the following is not a fuel cell?
(a) Hexanone-oxygen cell
(b) Methyl-oxygen-alcohol cell
(c) Hydrogen-oxygen cell
(d) Propane-oxygen cell

Answer: (a)
8. The reaction occurring at the cathode of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is
(a) 2H2 + 4OH– → 4H2O + 4e–

(b) 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O (l )

(c) H+ + OH– → H2O

(d) O2 + 2H2O + 4e– → 4OH–

Answer: (d)
9. The standard emf is ________ for hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells.
(a) 3.96 V
(b) 1.23 V
(c) 0.58 V
(d) 2.54 V

Answer: (b)
10. Fuel cell was invented in the year
(a) 1838
(b) 1874
(c) 1903
(d) 1958

Answer: (a)
11. A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into ____________
a) Mechanical energy
b) Solar energy
c) Electrical energy

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d) Potential energy
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a
chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or another oxidizing agent.

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2. Select the incorrect statement from the following option.

a) Fuel cells have high efficiency
b) The emission levels of fuel cells are far below the permissible limits
c) Fuel cells are modular
d) The noise levels of fuel cells are high
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The noise levels of fuel cells are low. They have high efficiency and are modular
but the emission levels of fuel cells are far below the permissible limits.

3. ______________ and suitable catalyst are required to promote high rate of electrode
processes.
a) Lower temperature
b) Higher temperature
c) Moderate temperature
d) Very low temperature
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Higher temperature and suitable catalyst are required to promote the high rate
of electrode processes. The reaction at the anode produces electricity and water as by-
products. The catalyst lowers the activation energy required, allowing the reaction to proceed
more quickly or at a lower temperature.

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4. Fuel cells are free from vibrations, heat transfer and thermal pollution.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Fuel cells are free from vibrations, heat transfer and thermal pollution. The first

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commercial use of fuel cells came more than a century later in NASA space programs to
generate power for satellites and space capsules.

5. A stable interface between solid _________ liquid ____________ and gaseous ___________
promotes high rate of electrode processes.
a) Fuel, electrolyte, electrode
b) Electrode, fuel, electrolyte
c) Electrode, electrolyte, fuel
d) Fuel, electrode, electrolyte
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: A stable interface between solid electrode, liquid electrolyte and gaseous fuel
promotes high rate of electrode processes. Electrodes are always solid and electrolyte is
always in liquid phase.

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6. Which of the following is not an example of a fuel cell?

a) Hydrogen-oxygen cell
b) Methyl-oxygen-alcohol cell
c) Propane-oxygen cell
d) Hexanone-oxygen cell
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Hydrogen-oxygen cell, methyl-oxygen-alcohol cell and propane-oxygen cell are
some of the examples of fuel cells. Hexanone-oxygen cell is not an example of a fuel cell.

7. The electrolytic solution used in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is ____________

a) 75% KOH solution
b) 25% KOH solution
c) 75% NaOH solution
d) 25% NaOH solution
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The electrolytic solution used in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is 25% KOH solution
by volume.

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8. The standard emf of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is ____________
a) 1.23 V
b) 2.54 V
c) 3.96 V
d) 0.58 V
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The standard emf of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is 1.23 V. This type of cell
operates efficiently in the temperature range 343 K to 413 K.

9. The residual product discharged by the hydrogen-oxygen cell is ____________

a) Hydrogen peroxide
b) Alcohol
c) Water
d) Potassium permanganate
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The residual product discharged by the hydrogen-oxygen cell is water. It is
formed by the oxidation reaction taking place at electrodes and combining the hydrogen
and oxygen molecules.

10. Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell can produce drinking water of potable quality.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell can produce drinking water of potable quality because
the residual product discharged by the hydrogen-oxygen cell is water which is in its pure form.

1. Fuel cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy using a reaction that __________
a) eliminates combustion of fuel
b) requires combustion of fuel
c) requires no ignition of fuel
d) fuel is not required
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Combustion of fuel is eliminated in fuel cells.

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2. Fuel cell performance is not limited by __________
a) First law of Thermodynamics
b) Second law of Thermodynamics
c) Third law of Thermodynamics
d) All three laws are applicable
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The performance of fuel cell is not limited by the Second law of Thermodynamics.

3. For which of these devices does negative charge carriers flow from anode to cathode in the external
circuit?
a) MHD generator
b) Thermionic generator
c) Thermoelectric generator
d) Fuel cell
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The sign convention of anode and cathode is same for fuel cell and batteries.

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4. The fuel cell is considered a battery in which ___________ is continuously replaced.

a) fuel only
b) oxidizer
c) both fuel and oxidizer
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Both fuel and oxidizer are replaced in fuel cell.

5. The type of reactions in a fuel cell is not determined by __________

a) fuel and oxidizer combination
b) composition of electrolyte
c) materials of anode and cathode
d) catalytic effects of reaction container
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The catalytic effects of electrodes rather than that of reaction container effects the fuel cell
reactions.

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6. What is the voltage output of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)

a) -1.23
b) -1.45
c) -1.01

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d) -.93
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The voltage output of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is -1.23V.

7. What is the voltage output of carbon-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)

a) -.91
b) -1.24
c) -1.02
d) -1.17
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The voltage output of carbon-oxygen fuel cell is -1.02V.

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8. What is the voltage output of methane-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)

a) -1.16
b) -1.06
c) -1.26
d) -0.96
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The voltage output of methane-oxygen fuel cell is -1.06V.

9. Which of these gases or liquids are not used as source of hydrogen in fuel cells?
a) C2H6
b) C2H2
c) C6H6
d) C2H5OH
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The only liquid from alcohol series used as a source of hydrogen in fuel cells is methanol CH3OH.

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10. The hydrocarbons cracked with steam in fuel cells do not give rise to __________
a) CO
b) CO2
c) H2
d) H2O
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The cracking of fuel in fuel cells foes not give rise to H 2O.

11. Which of these should not be a properties of fuel cell electrodes?

a) good electrical conductors

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b) highly resistant to corrosive environment
c) should perform charge seperation
d) take part in chemical reactions
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The fuel cell electrode should not take part in fuel cell electrode.

12. Which of these fuel cell operates at temperature below 100.C?

a) phosphoric fuel cell
b) solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
c) molten carbon fuel cell
d) hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell operates at temperatures less than 100.C.

13. Which of these fuel cells operates at high temperatures and pressures?
a) high temperature solid oxide fuel cell
b) alkaline fuel cell
c) molten carbon fuel cell
d) phosphoric acid fuel cell
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The Molten Carbon Fuel Cell operates at high temperatures and pressures.

Fuel Cells were invented by

 Sir Gideon Sundback

 Sir William Grove

 Sir Mathew Maury

 Sir Robert Bunsen

MCQ: In which one of the following year, Fuel Cells were patented?
 1958

 1903

 1874

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 1839

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