Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells
4.2What the syllabus asks of you
- State that a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity with water as the only chemical product
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells in comparison with gasoline / petrol engines in vehicles
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells
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Every question on Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells, untimed, marked as you go.
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Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
10 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AA disadvantage of a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell is that hydrogen is more difficult to store than gasoline/petrol.
BA disadvantage of a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell is that it is less efficient than a gasoline/petrol engine.
CAn advantage of a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell is that it only produces carbon dioxide and water as products.
DAn advantage of gasoline/petrol engines is that they produce carbon monoxide by incomplete combustion.
Mark scheme
3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Apurpose of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: to recycle waste; chemical product of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: hydrogen
Bpurpose of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: to recycle waste; chemical product of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: water
Cpurpose of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: to produce electrical energy; chemical product of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: hydrogen
Dpurpose of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: to produce electrical energy; chemical product of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: water
Mark scheme
4May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
AIt uses a chemical reaction that has only one product.
BIt works by burning hydrogen in air.
CIt requires a continuous input of electrical energy.
DIt is less efficient than a petrol engine.
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aadvantage: The fuel cell obtains the oxygen from the air.; disadvantage: The hydrogen has to be stored in a very strong tank.
Badvantage: The fuel cell obtains the oxygen from the air.; disadvantage: The only chemical product causes acid rain.
Cadvantage: The fuel cell obtains the oxygen from water.; disadvantage: The hydrogen has to be stored in a very strong tank.
Dadvantage: The fuel cell obtains the oxygen from water.; disadvantage: The only chemical product causes acid rain.
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
AGasoline / petrol is a non-renewable resource.
BThe hydrogen tank may split in an accident, leading to an explosion.
CThe product of the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen is toxic.
DThe oxygen is obtained from air.
Mark scheme
7May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Ahydrogen and oxygen; hydrogen has a lower energy content by mass than petrol
Bhydrogen and oxygen; a renewable fuel may be used in a fuel cell, a petrol engine uses a non-renewable fuel
Cwater only; hydrogen has a lower energy content by mass than petrol
Dwater only; a renewable fuel may be used in a fuel cell, a petrol engine uses a non-renewable fuel
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
9May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Aelectricity
Bhydrogen
Coxygen
Dwater
Mark scheme
10May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q16Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme