0421_fuelcell

= **Fuel Cells** =

 By: Morgan Doucette and Dylan Trach
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and a source of fuel into an electric current. __Equation __ the hydrogen ions combine with the oxygen at the cathode and are recombined with the electrons to for water.
 * Cathode Reaction: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O

__Type of reaction﻿ __ This is a synthesis reaction because there is only one kind of compound produced.there is two elements on the reactants side, and only one compound on the product side.

__Fuel cells are used for: __
 * Powering motors
 * Powering lights
 * Powering a number of electrical appliances

 Hydrogen cells enter through the flow plates on the left side of the fuel cell, and oxygen enters in the left side. at the cathode, the hydrogen combines with the oxygen, producing water. The anode causes the hydrogen to split into positivly charged ions. The electrolyte membrane in the middle (Pink) only lets positivly charged ions to pass through into the cathode.

__Why is it the most important __ Fuel cells are the most important reaction in the world because it is a cheaper and a less polluting way to run your vehicle. Fuel cells will eventually be an alternative to gasoline. Today's generation of children will be driving fuel cell powered vehicles because they are zero polluting and high performance vehicles. The reason that these vehicles will not pollute the air is because only water is produced as a waste. Fuel cells would be a cheaper, and more reliable way to power our houshold appliances, as well as lights and other appliances that run on electricty.