| Feature | Hydrogen fuel cell | Battery (rechargeable) |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/energy source | Continuous H₂ supply | Stored chemical energy (finite) |
| By-product at point of use | Water only | None at use, but waste on disposal |
| Efficiency | High (60–70%) | Variable (70–90% round-trip) |
| Moving parts | None | None |
| Main limitation | H₂ storage; H₂ production energy | Long charge time; degrades over cycles |
This comparison covers Fuel Cells vs Batteries within Fuel Cells for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Fuel Cells in Energy Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 5 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 13 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Fuel Cells
A simple electrochemical cell is made by placing two different metal electrodes into an electrolyte. Which statement correctly describes what affects the voltage produced?
Compare a non-rechargeable alkaline battery with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the rechargeable battery.
Quick recall flashcards
Write the overall equation for the hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell.
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Only product: water.
No carbon dioxide or air pollutants produced at point of use.
What is a fuel cell?
An electrochemical cell that generates electricity continuously from an external fuel supply (hydrogen) and an oxidant (oxygen).
Unlike a battery, it does not run down — it operates as long as fuel is supplied.
Only product: water.