Comparing Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells & Petrol
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 4.2.3
Comparing Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells and Petrol Engines in Vehicles
Fuel cells are clean, efficient, quiet, but costly and hard to store. Petrol engines are cheaper, easy to refuel, but pollute, and are less efficient.
Introduction to fuel cells and petrol engines
- Vehicles can use petrol engines or hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells.
- Petrol engines burn gasoline, releasing energy and carbon dioxide.
- Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
- Electrochemistry explains how fuel cells convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
Advantages of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells
- Fuel cells produce only water as a waste product, reducing pollution.
- They have higher efficiency than petrol engines, using more energy from fuel.
- Fuel cells provide quiet and smooth power for vehicles.
Disadvantages of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells
- Hydrogen storage is difficult and costly, needing high-pressure tanks.
- Fuel cell vehicles currently cost more than petrol cars.
- Hydrogen production often uses fossil fuels, reducing environmental benefits.
- Lack of refuelling stations limits fuel cell vehicle use.
Advantages of petrol engines
- Petrol engines have an established refuelling network.
- Vehicles with petrol engines are currently cheaper to buy.
- Petrol engines are simple to refuel quickly.
Disadvantages of petrol engines
- Petrol engines emit carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.
- They produce other pollutants harmful to health and the environment.
- Petrol engines are less efficient than fuel cells.
- Fossil fuel supply causes concerns about sustainability.
Test yourself on Comparing Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells & Petrol
How do petrol engines primarily release energy to power vehicles?