Question detail
What is a key characteristic of a fuel cell?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)
Question
- A. It converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy.
- B. It stores energy for later use.
- C. It requires recharging after use.
- D. It uses a chemical reaction to generate heat.
Answer
It converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy.
Explanation
The correct option is It converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy.. It converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy. is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to compare fuel cells with rechargeable and non-rechargeable cells. This reasoning is anchored to Feasibility and applications of cells (A-level only) in Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only), and it separates fuel cell from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Fuel Cells vs. Rechargeable Cells
Students often confuse the operation of fuel cells with rechargeable cells, thinking they function the same way.
Fuel cells convert chemical energy from a fuel (like hydrogen) directly into electrical energy through a chemical reaction, while rechargeable cells store electrical energy chemically and can be recharged by applying an external current. Fuel cells are used continuously as long as fuel is supplied, whereas rechargeable cells can be used multiple times but need to be recharged after use. Keep the correction anchored to Feasibility and applications of cells (A-level only) and the objective: Compare fuel cells with rechargeable and non-rechargeable cells.
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