Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Quiz

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How Much Do You Know About Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

Question 1

Hydrogen fuel cell technology appears to eliminate the need for fossil fuels altogether.  How might fossil fuels still be needed even if scientists are successful in creating a vehicle that may run on hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of water?

If Hydrogen vehicles become a reality it would eliminate the need for fossil fuels entirely.
Transportation of hydrogen gas from one location.
Electricity generation that will be used in the production of hydrogen gas and other components of the vehicle.
Platinum must be soaked in gasoline during fuel cell production to protect it from external contaminants.

Question 2

Why might some people be concerned about hydrogen fuel cell technology at the present time?

Most hydrogen gas produced in the world today comes from a process that still results in carbon dioxide.
Platinum is very expensive, making production of fuel cells and hence hydrogen fuel cell vehicles expensive as well.
Hydrogen production through electrolysis would require large amounts of water to be expended. 
All of the above.

Question 3

Can you think of a problem in storing liquid hydrogen inside a car?

Because liquid hydrogen is so cold, regardless of the container it is stored in, the vehicle will be cold to the touch.
As liquid hydrogen evaporates, it will build up inside the vehicle and on long trips pose a suffocation hazard. 
If liquid hydrogen was stored in an closed container, as it evaporates it would pose an explosion hazard.
Liquid hydrogen is as safe as regular gasoline and requires no additional safety measures.

Question 4

A fuel cell produces more energy per molecule of hydrogen then a gasoline molecule during combustion. Why is it then, that it requires more liquid hydrogen fuel than gasoline to travel a set distance?

The energy is hydrogen is stored in bonds that may not be converted to usable energy.
Liquid hydrogen has a lower density than gasoline. 
Fuel cells add significantly to the total mass of a vehicle. 
Current methods of harnessing the energy from the reaction that creates water are so inefficient, much of the usable energy is lost.