Engineering Chemistry Questions and Answers – Fuel Cells

1. A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into

a) Mechanical energy
b) Solar energy
c) Electrical energy
d) Potential energy
Answer:c
Explanation: A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a chemical
reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or another oxidizing agent.
2. Select the incorrect statement from the following option.
a) Fuel cells have high efficiency
b) The emission levels of fuel cells are far below the permissible limits
c) Fuel cells are modular
d) The noise levels of fuel cells are high
Answer:d
Explanation: The noise levels of fuel cells are low. They have high efficiency and are modular but the
emission levels of fuel cells are far below the permissible limits.
3. ______________ and suitable catalyst are required to promote high rate of electrode
processes.
a) Lower temperature
b) Higher temperature
c) Moderate temperature
d) Very low temperature
Answer:b
Explanation: Higher temperature and suitable catalyst are required to promote high rate of electrode
processes. The reaction at the anode produces electricity and water as by-products. The catalyst
lowers the activation energy required, allowing the reaction to proceed more quickly or at a lower
temperature.
5. A stable interface between solid _________ liquid ____________ and gaseous
___________ promotes high rate of electrode processes.
a) Fuel, electrolyte, electrode
b) Electrode, fuel, electrolyte
c) Electrode, electrolyte, fuel
d) Fuel, electrode, electrolyte
Answer:c

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Explanation: A stable interface between solid electrode, liquid electrolyte and gaseous fuel promotes
high rate of electrode processes. Electrodes are always solid and electrolyte is always in liquid
phase.
6. Which of the following is not an example of a fuel cell?
a) Hydrogen-oxygen cell
b) Methyl-oxygen-alcohol cell
c) Propane-oxygen cell
d) Hexanone-oxygen cell
View Answer
Answer:d
Explanation: Hydrogen-oxygen cell, methyl-oxygen-alcohol cell and propane-oxygen cell are some
of the examples of fuel cells. Hexanone-oxygen cell is not an example of a fuel cell.
7. The electrolytic solution used in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is
a) 75% KOH solution
b) 25% KOH solution
c) 75% NaOH solution
d) 25% NaOH solution
Answer:b
Explanation: The electrolytic solution used in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is 25% KOH solution by
volume.
8. The standard emf of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is
a) 1.23 V
b) 2.54 V
c) 3.96 V
d) 0.58 V
View Answer
Answer:a
Explanation: The standard emf of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is 1.23 V. This type of cell operates
efficiently in the temperature range 343 K to 413 K.
9. The residual product discharged by the hydrogen-oxygen cell is
a) Hydrogen peroxide
b) Alcohol
c) Water
d) Potassium permanganate
View Answer
Answer:c
Explanation: The residual product discharged by the hydrogen-oxygen cell is water. It is formed by
the oxidation reaction taking place at electrodes and combining the hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

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1. Fuel cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy using a reaction that
a) eliminates combustion of fuel
b) requires combustion of fuel
c) requires no ignition of fuel
d) fuel is not required
Answer:a
Explanation: Combustion of fuel is eliminated in fuel cells.
2. Fuel cell performance is not limited by
a) First law of Thermodynamics
b) Second law of Thermodynamics
c) Third law of Thermodynamics
d) All three laws are applicable
Answer:b
Explanation: The performance of fuel cell is not limited by the Second law of Thermodynamics.
3. For which of these devices does negative charge carriers flow from anode to cathode in the
external circuit?
a) MHD generator
b) Thermionic generator
c) Thermoelectric generator
d) Fuel cell
Answer:d
Explanation: The sign convention of anode and cathode is same for fuel cell and batteries.
4. The fuel cell is considered a battery in which ___ is continuously replaced.
a) fuel only
b) oxidizer
c) both fuel and oxidizer
d) none of the mentioned
Answer:c
Explanation: Both fuel and oxidizer are replaced in fuel cell.
5. The type of reactions in a fuel cell is not determined by
a) fuel and oxidizer combination
b) composition of electrolyte
c) materials of anode and cathode
d) catalytic effects of reaction container
Answer:d
Explanation: The catalytic effects of electrodes rather than that of reaction container effects the fuel
cell reactions.

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6. What is the voltage output of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)
a) -1.23
b) -1.45
c) -1.01
d) -.93
Answer:a
Explanation: The voltage output of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is -1.23V.
7. What is the voltage output of carbon-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)
a) -.91
b) -1.24
c) -1.02
d) -1.17
Answer:c
Explanation: The voltage output of carbon-oxygen fuel cell is -1.02V.
8. What is the voltage output of methane-oxygen fuel cell?(in V)
a) -1.16
b) -1.06
c) -1.26
d) -0.96
Answer: b
Explanation: The voltage output of methane-oxygen fuel cell is -1.06V.
9. Which of these gases or liquids are not used as source of hydrogen in fuel cells?
a) C2 H6
b) C2 H2
c) C6 H6
d) C2H5OH
Answer:d
Explanation: The only liquid from alcohol series used as a source of hydrogen in fuel cells is
methanol CH3OH.
10. The hydrocarbons cracked with steam in fuel cells do not give rise to
a) CO
b) CO2
c) H2
d) H2 O
Answer: d
Explanation: The cracking of fuel in fuel cells foes not give rise to H2O.

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11. Which of these should not be a properties of fuel cell electrodes?
a) good electrical conductors
b) highly resistant to corrosive environment
c) should perform charge seperation
d) take part in chemical reactions
Answer: d
Explanation: The fuel cell electrode should not take part in fuel cell electrode.
12. Which of these fuel cell operates at temperature below 100.C?
a) phosphoric fuel cell
b) solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
c) molten carbon fuel cell
d) hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell
Answer: c
Explanation: The Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell operates at temperatures less than 100.C.
13. Which of these fuel cells operates at high temperatures and pressures?
a) high temperature solid oxide fuel cell
b) alkaline fuel cell
c) molten carbon fuel cell
d) phosphoric acid fuel cell
Answer: c
Explanation: The Molten Carbon Fuel Cell operates at high temperatures and pressures.

1. How do fuel cells generate electricity?

Combustion

Fusion

Electrochemical reaction

Organic reaction

2. What do fuel cells emit?

Oxygen

Hydrogen

Nothing

Water

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3. When was the first fuel cell invented?

1701

1901

1839

1879

Welsh scientist Sir William Robert Grove is credited for inventing fuel cells in 1839. However, the technology
wasn't used commercially until the 1960s.

4. How do you boost the amount of electricity a fuel cell system produces?

Adding oxygen

Adding hydrogen

Adding cells

Adding protons

5. When were fuel cells first used in space?

Apollo Program

Space Shuttle Program

Project Mercury

Gemini Program

6. What was the first fuel cell electric vehicle to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency?

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle

Honda Clarity

Honda FCX

Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle

7. What are the two most common ways to produce hydrogen gas used in fuel cells?

Electromagnetism and quantum mechanics

Steam reforming and electrolysis

Electrolysis and absorption

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Thermal conductivity and refraction

8. How do you refuel a fuel cell electric vehicle?

Fill the tank with water

Plug the vehicle into a charging station

Pump hydrogen gas directly into the tank

Pump gasoline into the tank

9. In general, how much hydrogen is produced in the United States every year?

10 million metric tons

200,000 metric tons

100 million metric tons

2 million metric tons

10. Which state has the most hydrogen fueling stations?

California

Texas

Florida

Iowa

11. How much of the known universe mass is made up of hydrogen?

99 percent

75 percent

25 percent

50 percent

1.c 2.d 3.c 4.c 5.d 6.c 7.b 8.c 9.a 10.a 11.b

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Batteries
1) In voltaic cell, anode and cathode of the cell is

a. copper electrode, zinc

b. zinc, copper
c. aluminium, zinc
d. nickel, cobalt
ANSWER: copper electrode, zinc

2) Lithium cells operates ranging from

a. -25 ° C to 25 ° C
b. -50 ° C to 25 ° C
c. -50 ° C to 75 ° C
d. -75 ° C to 75 ° C
ANSWER: -50 ° C to 75 ° C

3) The positive plates of nickel iron cell is made up of

a. Nickel hydroxide
b. Lead peroxide
c. Ferrous hydroxide
d. Potassium hydroxide
ANSWER: Nickel hydroxide

4) In lead acid accumulators, the container is filled

with distilled water and concentrated sulphuric acid in
the ratio of

a. 1 : 2
b. 2 : 1
c. 3 : 1

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d. 1 : 3
ANSWER: 3 : 1

5) The emf of the dry cell is about

a. 0 V
b. 0.5 V
c. 1 V
d. 1.5 V
ANSWER: 1.5 V

6) In leclanche cell, anode is packed in a porous pot

containing

a. manganese dioxide
b. charcoal powder
c. sulphur dioxide
d. only (a) and (b)
ANSWER: only (a) and (b)

7) In Daniel cell,

a. Layer of hydrogen bubbles is formed

b. Polarization takes place
c. Negative pole is a copper vessel
d. None of these
ANSWER: None of these

8) Secondary’s cells are

a. lead acid cell

b. alkaline cell
c. both (a) and (b)
d. none of these

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ANSWER: both (a) and (b)

9) Leclanche cell Daniel cell is an example of

a. both dry cell

b. both wet cell
c. dry cell, wet cell
d. wet cell, dry cell
ANSWER: both wet cell

10) In cell, the current flows in outer circuit from

a. Positive terminal to negative terminal and electrons

from negative terminal to positive terminal
b. Positive terminal to negative terminal and electrons
from positive terminal to negative terminal
c. Negative terminal to positive terminal and electrons
from negative terminal to positive terminal
d. Negative terminal to positive terminal and electrons
from positive terminal to negative terminal
ANSWER: Positive terminal to negative terminal and electrons from
negative terminal to positive terminal

1. The capacity of a lead acid cell does not depend on its

(A) temperature.
(B) rate of discharge.
(C) rate of charge.
(D) all of the above.

Answer C
2. When a lead acid battery is in fully charge condition, the
color of its positive plate is
(A) brown.

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(B) dark grey.
(C) dark brown.
(D) none of the above.

Answer C
3. The capacity of a battery is expressed in term of
(A) ampere.
(B) volt-hour.
(C) ampere-hour.
(D) volt-amp-hour.

Answer C
4. When the lead acid battery is fully charged condition, the
appearance of its electrolyte is
(A) bright.
(B) dull.
(C) milky.
(D) brown.

Answer C
5. During charging the specific gravity of the electrolyte of
a lead acid battery
(A) decreases.
(B) increases.
(C) remain same.
(D) none of the above.

Answer B

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6. Due to sulphation effect in lead acid battery, its
terminal resistance
(A) increases.
(B) decreases.
(C) remain same.
(D) none of the above.

Answer A
7. During discharging the specific gravity of the
electrolytes of a lead acid battery
(A) decreases.
(B) increases.
(C) remain same.
(D) none of the above.

Answer A
8. Which of the following cell has the highest voltage?
(A) Mercury.
(B) Lithium.
(C) Carbon-Zinc.
(D) Manganese-Alkaline.

Answer B
9. Which of the following cells has the lowest voltage?
(A) Carbon-Zink.
(B) Lithium.
(C) Manganese-Alkaline.
(D) Mercury.

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Answer D
10. Sulphation in a lead acid battery occurs due to
(A) trickle charging.
(B) heavy charging.
(C) overcharging.
(D) incomplete charging.

Answer D
11. Which of the following battery is generally used in
electric power station?
(A) Zinc carbon battery.
(B) Nickel cadmium battery.
(C) Lead acid battery.
(D) Lithium battery.

Answer c
12. In order to Increase voltage, number of cells are
connected in
(A) series.
(B) parallel.
(C) opposite direction.
(D) none of the above.

Answer A
13. In order to increase capacity of the battery, number of
cells are connected in
(A) series.
(B) parallel.
(C) both above.
(D) none of the above.

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Answer B
14. Which of the following instrument is used to measure
the specific gravity of electrolyte?
(A) Barometer.
(B) Hygroscope.
(C) Hydroscope.
(D) Lactometer.

Answer C
15. In Edison cell, the negative plate is made of
(A) zinc.
(B) copper.
(C) iron.
(D) lead.

Answer C
1. The charge required to liberate one gram equivalent of any substance is known as ______
constant
(a) time
(b) Faraday’s
(c) Boltzman
(d) Faraday’s and Boltzman

Ans: b

2. During the charging of a lead-acid cell

(a) its voltage increases
(b) it gives out energy
(c) its cathode becomes dark chocolate brown in colour
(d) specific gravity of H2SO4 decreases

Ans: a

3. The ratio of ampere-hour efficiency to watt-hour efficiency of a lead-acid cell is

(a) just one
(b) always greater than one
(c) always less than one
(d) none of the above.

Ans: b

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4. The output voltage of a charger is
(a) less than the battery voltage
(b) higher than the battery voltage
(c) the same as the battery voltage
(d) none of the above

Ans: b

5. During the charging and discharging of a nickel-iron cell

(a) corrosive fumes are produced
(b) water is neither formed nor absorbed
(c) nickel hydroxide remains unsplit
(d) its e.m.f. remains constant

Ans: b

6. As compared to constant-current system, the constant-voltage system of charging a lead acid cell
has the advantage of
(a) reducing time of charging
(b) increasing cell capacity
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) avoiding excessive gassing

Ans: c

7. A dead storage battery can be revived by

(a) adding distilled water
(b) adding so-called battery restorer
(c) a dose of H2SO4
(d) none of the above

Ans: d

8. Trickle charging of a storage battery helps to

(a) maintain proper electrolyte level
(b) increase its reserve capacity
(c) prevent sulphation
(d) keep it fresh and fully charged

Ans: d

9. In a lead-acid cell dilute sulphuric acid (electrolyte) approximately comprises the following
(a) one part H2O, three parts H2SO4
(b) two parts H2O, two parts H2SO4
(c) three parts H2O, one part H2SO4
(d) all H2S04

Ans: c

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10. When the lead-acid cell is fully charged, the electrolyte assumes _____ appearance
(a) dull
(b) reddish
(c) bright
(d) milky

Ans: d

11. The internal resistance of an alkali cell is nearly _____ times that of the lead-acid cell.
(a) two
(b) three
(c) four
(d) five

Ans: d

12. The average charging voltage for alkali cell is about

(a) 1 V
(b) 1.2 V
(c) 1.7 V
(d) 2.1 V

Ans: c

13. The active material of the positive plates of silver-zinc batteries is

(a) silver oxide
(b) lead oxide
(c) lead
(d) zinc powder

Ans: a

14. Lead-acid cell has a life of nearly charges and discharges

(a) 500
(b) 700
(c) 1000
(d) 1250

Ans: d

15. Life of the Edison cell is at least

(a) five years
(b) seven years
(c) eight years
(d) ten years

Ans: a

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16. Negative plate of an Edison cell is made of
(a) copper
(b) lead
(c) iron
(d) silver oxide

Ans: c

17. In ______ system the charging current is intermittently controlled at either a maximum or
minimum value
(a) two rate charge control
(b) trickle charge
(c) floating charge
(d) an equalizing charge

Ans: a

18. Undercharging....
(a) reduces specific gravity of the electrolyte
(b) increases specific gravity of the electrolyte
(c) produces excessive gassing
(d) increases the temperature

Ans: a

19. On overcharging a battery

(a) it will bring about chemical change in active materials
(b) it will increase the capacity of the battery
(c) it will raise the specific gravity of the electrolyte
(d) none of the above will occur

Ans: d

20. In a lead-acid cell, if the specific gravity of sulphuric acid is 1.8, it will require following ratio of
acid to water to get mixture of specific gravity of 1.3
(a) 6 parts of acid to 4 parts of water
(b) 4 parts of acid to 4 parts of water
(c) 4 parts of acid to 6 parts of water
(d) 4 parts of acid to 8 parts of water

Ans: c

21. If a battery is wrongly connected on charge following will happen

(a) current delivered by the battery will be high
(b) current drawing will be nil
(c) current drawing will be very small
(d) current drawing will be very high

Ans: d

22. Life of the batteries is in the following ascending order.

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(a) Lead-acid cell, Edison cell, Nickel cadmium cell
(b) Lead-acid cell, Nickel-cadmium cell, Edison cell
(c) Edison cell, Nickel-cadmium cell, lead-acid cell
(d) Nickel-cadmium cell, Edison cell, lead-acid cell

Ans: a

23. Level of electrolyte in a cell should be _____ the level of plates

(a) below
(b) equal to
(c) above
(d) none of the above

Ans: c

24. During discharge, the active material of both the positive and negative plates is changed to
(a) Pb
(b) Pb02
(c) PbO
(d) PbS04

Ans: d

25. _____ of electrolyte indicates the state of charge of the battery

(a) colour
(b) mass
(c) viscosity
(d) specific gravity

Ans: d

26. Dry cell is modification of

(a) Deniell cell
(b) Leclanche cell
(c) Lead-acid cell
(d) Edison cell
Ans: b

27. In alkaline cell the electrolyte is

(a) dilute sulphuric acid
(b) concentrated sulphuric acid
(c) NaOH
(d) KOH
Ans: d

28. All the electrical connections between the battery and vehicle should be by
(a) thin aluminium wires
(b) thin copper wires
(c) rigid cables
(d) flexible cables

Ans: d

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29. Weston standard cell at 20°C has voltage of ____ volts.
(a) 0.8
(b) 0.9
(c) 1.0187
(d) 1.5

Ans: c

30. Which of the following primary cells has the highest voltage ?
(a) Manganese-alkaline
(b) Carbon-zinc
(c) Lithium
(d) Mercury

Ans: c

31. Which of the following primary cells has the lowest voltage ?
(a) Lithium
(b) Zinc-chloride
(c) Mercury
(d) Carbon-zinc

Ans: c

32. While preparing electrolyte for a lead-acid battery

(a) water is poured into acid
(b) acid is poured into water
(c) anyone of the two can be added to other chemical

Ans: b

33. Which of the following battery is used for air-craft ?

(a) Lead-acid battery
(b) Nickel-iron battery
(c) Dry cell battery
(d) Silver oxide battery

Ans: b

34. Under normal charging rate, the charging current should be

(a) 10% of capacity
(b) 20% of capacity
(c) 30% of capacity
(d) 40% of capacity
Ans: a

35. When two batteries are connected in parallel, it should be ensured that
(a) they have same e.m.f.
(b) they have same make
(c) they have same ampere-hour capacity
(d) they have identical internal resistance

Ans: a

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36. The common impurity in the electrolyte of lead-acid battery is
(a) chlorine
(b) dust particles
(c) lead crystals
(d) iron

Ans: d
6. Cells are connected in parallel to

(A) Increase the efficiency

(B) Increase the current capacity
(C) Increase the voltage output
(D) Increase the internal resistance
Correct Answer
Answer: Option B

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