Exploring Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Questions & Answers

[manp]

Homework Statement

hi I've got to do a project for college and need some direction I want to know a few things more so if you can help let me know.

some of the things include (if you could answer any it would be useful):

why can't we make a longer electric current to harness all the electricity produced in a certain current (please see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell and image 'scheme of proton...')
what happens to the hydrogen if we don't allow it to mix with the oxygen (and instead forward it for a combustion process, can we do this? I mean can ionised hydrogen be lit, I know hydrogen and oxygen can be burned but how come this doesn't make water straight upon introduction to each other such as in a typical hydrogen fuel cell and instead after the combustion, it doesn't make sense)
is electricity made on hydrogen and oxygen reacting together to make water or is it made through the electrons being passed through the circuit (or both)

please don't mind if these questions don't make any sense I'm really trying to learn and ask the questions which don't make sense to me. thanks in advance

 

[Asim Riaz]

Homework Equations N/AThe Attempt at a Solution 1. Why can't we make a longer electric current to harness all the electricity produced in a certain current? The reason why we cannot make a longer electric current to harness all the electricity produced in a certain current is because of the laws of physics. In order to transfer electrical energy from one place to another, there must be a complete circuit of both conductors and resistors. If the current is too long, the amount of resistance in the circuit increases, reducing the amount of electricity that can be transferred. 2. What happens to the hydrogen if we don't allow it to mix with the oxygen (and instead forward it for a combustion process)? If the hydrogen is not allowed to mix with the oxygen, it will remain as a gas and without the presence of oxygen, it cannot undergo a combustion process. 3. Is electricity made on hydrogen and oxygen reacting together to make water or is it made through the electrons being passed through the circuit (or both)? Electricity is produced when hydrogen and oxygen react together and form water. The electrons are then passed through the circuit, which creates an electric current.