Q&A: does anyone understand how a oxygen hydrogen fuel cell works?

by lalunablanca

Question by KAAJAL: does anyone understand how a oxygen hydrogen fuel cell works?
If you do, then can you please help me with these questions? Ok so this is what I was given: An oxygen hydrogen fuel cell is widely used in a manned space vehicle. I was given a simplified diagram of the fuel cell ( sorry I can’t show u). The hydrogen and oxygen gases are passed over platinum electrodes immersed in a solution of potassium hydroxide. when the cell is in operation water is produced. Assume that in the fuel cell, the oxygen gas reacts according to this equation:
O2+4H+4e–>2H2o

1)Is the fuel cell galvanic or electrolytic?

2) At which electrode (anode or cathode) does the oxygen half reaction occur? reason?

3) write down an equation for the other half reaction that occurs.

4) write down a balanced equation for the overall reaction in the fuel cell

5) calculate the emf of the cell

6) does the cathode experience a change in mass? reason?

Please help! even if you answer one Q I’ll be grateful!!!

1)

Best answer:

Answer by biire2u
1) galvanic, it makes electricity, it doesn’t use it like an electrolytic cell would

2) cathode, positively charged cations move towards the cathode. The oxygen forms negative charges at the cathode that attracts the positive ions

3) 2 H+ + 2 e- < ---> H2

4) 4 H+ + O2(g) + 4 e− < ---> 2H2O

5) emf = +1.23V

6) No. The cathode isn’t consumed in the reaction , it just offers a surface area for the gas to exchange ions on and carry the electricity away. Only the oxygen and hydrogen is consumed and the byproduct is water

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