Fuel cells
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how a hydrogen fuel cell works and compare one to an electric cell.
Key learning points
- One type of fuel cell contains hydrogen that reacts with oxygen from the air to produce a voltage.
- Hydrogen used in fuel cells can be extracted from fossil fuels or produced by electrolysis powered by the National Grid.
- Other fuel cells exist, but have other products than just water.
- There are many strengths and weaknesses of fuel cells, and these should be compared against other energy sources.
Keywords
Fuel cell - a device that produces a voltage when supplied with a fuel and oxygen
National Grid - the network that connects all the power stations in the country to make sure that everywhere has access to electricity
Fossil fuel - a fuel that formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms
Common misconception
Confusing electrode reactions with those that occur in electrolysis. For example in a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen is oxidised at the anode but in electrolysis, hydrogen is produced at the cathode.
Discuss the electrode reactions in terms of electron loss or gain; rather that just relying on memory. This will provide pupils with the tools to work out the electrode reactions.
Teacher tip
This lesson provides a good opportunity to revisit some ideas met earlier in the course such as fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, renewable / non–renewable energy sources and climate change.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a chemical reaction?
Q2.What is a hydrocarbon?
Q3.What is one product of hydrocarbon combustion?
Q4.What is a fossil fuel?
Q5.What is the National Grid?
Q6.What is one environmental impact of using fossil fuels?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a fuel cell?
Q2.What is the word equation for the overall reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell?
Q3.What happens at the anode in a hydrogen fuel cell?
Q4.What is the reaction at the anode in a hydrogen fuel cell?
Q5.What is one advantage of fuel cells?
Q6.What is one challenge of using fuel cells?
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Fuel cells, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Fuel cells, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Electrolysis unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.