Please answer this one quick question (about fuel cells)

AI Thread Summary
In fuel cells, hydrogen atoms are separated into protons and electrons through chemical reactions, not nuclear processes like fusion. Electrons are not part of the nucleus; they exist in orbitals around it. The separation occurs at the electrodes, where reactions facilitate the release of electrons, creating hydrogen ions. This process is similar to how a fruit battery operates, using chemical reactions to generate current. Understanding ionic and redox reactions is crucial for grasping how fuel cells function.
dragoneye776
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I'm a physics student trying to do a project on fuels cells. One thing I don't get is, when the atom goes through the electr-- whatever, how does it separate into electrons and protons.

I thought the only way to separate electrons from the nucleus is by extreme heat and pressure, like that of nuclear fusion. Obviously nuclear fusion isn't occurring in a fuel cell.


My only thought is that the electro-- whatever, is a type of filter, but then again, you just can't filter out electrons.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
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Also, even if you don't know it, post something so that I know people are actually reading my question.
 
READ THIS

I thought the only way to separate electrons from the nucleus is by extreme heat and pressure, like that of nuclear fusion. Obviously nuclear fusion isn't occurring in a fuel cell.
I think you meant plasma instead of fusion
 
dragoneye776 said:
I thought the only way to separate electrons from the nucleus is by extreme heat and pressure, like that of nuclear fusion. Obviously nuclear fusion isn't occurring in a fuel cell.
Electrons aren't in the nucleus to begin with. What a fuel cell does is separate electrons from hydrogen atoms, creating hydrogen ions (protons). These are chemical, not nuclear reactions.

Read this: http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm"
 
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Electrode ?

You should look up chemical cells, Ionic reactions and redox reactions. The interplay of charge is very important in chemistry and happens all the time in reactions, even at room temperature and pressure.

You have probably come across a fruit-battery, like a lemon acid battery, supplying current by the reaction between the metal electrodes and the acid.

Its essentially a fuel-cell, the fuel is the electrode metal and the acid.
 
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