Textbook Problem

While discussing hydrogen: Technician A says that a hydrogen atom has one proton and two electrons. Technician B says that hydrogen is produced in a fuel cell when water is broken down into its basic elements. Who is correct?

a. Technician A only

b. Technician B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

To determine

The technician with correct approach.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

While discussing hydrogen:

Technician A says that a hydrogen atom has one proton and two electrons.

Technician B says that hydrogen is produced in a fuel cell when water is broken down into its basic elements.

Hydrogen atoms has only one proton. In some of its isotopes, like in deuterium it contains one proton and one neutron. In tritium, there is one proton and two neutrons.

So, technician A is incorrect.

In fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen is used as fuel for running a vehicle. The energy is generated by igniting the hydrogen to produce electrical energy. When hydrogen is ignited it releases electrons. Hydrogen is present in form of compound. It is combination of oxygen and hydrogen, they combine to form water.

After ignition of fuel, energy is released, this produces electrical energy involving electrochemical reaction...