What device uses a chemical reaction to generate electricity with water as a byproduct?

What device uses a chemical reaction to generate electricity with water as a byproduct?

• A. Electrolyzer
• B. Hydrogen Fuel Cell
• C. Battery
• D. Solar Cell

Answer: (B)

Hydrogen fuel cells turn chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity, and water comes out as the byproduct. In operation, hydrogen at the anode is oxidized to produce protons and electrons. The electrons flow through an external circuit as electric current, while the protons move through the electrolyte to the cathode. There, they combine with oxygen and the electrons to form water. Overall, the reaction is 2H2 plus O2 turning into 2H2O, releasing electrical energy in the process. This clean energy conversion is what makes hydrogen fuel cells distinctive. An electrolyzer, by contrast, uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, so water isn’t produced. A battery stores and releases chemical energy but doesn’t primarily generate electricity with water as a byproduct. A solar cell generates electricity from light using the photovoltaic effect rather than a chemical reaction producing water.

Hydrogen fuel cells turn chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity, and water comes out as the byproduct. In operation, hydrogen at the anode is oxidized to produce protons and electrons. The electrons flow through an external circuit as electric current, while the protons move through the electrolyte to the cathode. There, they combine with oxygen and the electrons to form water. Overall, the reaction is 2H2 plus O2 turning into 2H2O, releasing electrical energy in the process. This clean energy conversion is what makes hydrogen fuel cells distinctive.

An electrolyzer, by contrast, uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, so water isn’t produced. A battery stores and releases chemical energy but doesn’t primarily generate electricity with water as a byproduct. A solar cell generates electricity from light using the photovoltaic effect rather than a chemical reaction producing water.