AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the sole product (emission) of a hydrogen fuel cell's operation?
The only product, or emission, from the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell is water.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
What is the sole product (emission) of a hydrogen fuel cell's operation?
The only product, or emission, from the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell is water.
Describe the use of hydrogen fuel cells in power generation.
Hydrogen fuel cells are used for power generation by combining hydrogen and oxygen to release energy in the form of electricity, with water as the byproduct.
Why is the energy from a hydrogen fuel cell not considered completely 'clean' in all cases?
The overall process may not be clean if the energy needed to create the hydrogen gas is sourced from nonrenewable fuels that produce pollution.
How do hydrogen fuel cells serve as an alternative to nonrenewable fuel sources?
They generate electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen, a potentially renewable resource, instead of burning finite fossil fuels.
What is the main environmental benefit of using hydrogen fuel cells?
Hydrogen fuel cells have a low environmental impact because they produce no carbon dioxide and their only emission is water, especially when the hydrogen is produced from water.
What is the primary economic barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells?
The primary economic barrier is that the technology is expensive.
What is a hydrogen fuel cell?
A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that uses hydrogen as fuel, combining it with oxygen from the air to form water and release energy as electricity.
Under what specific condition do hydrogen fuel cells produce zero carbon dioxide?
Hydrogen fuel cells produce no carbon dioxide when the hydrogen used as fuel is produced from water.
What are the primary inputs and outputs of a hydrogen fuel cell's reaction?
The primary inputs are hydrogen and oxygen, and the outputs are water and energy (electricity).
What are two major challenges associated with hydrogen fuel cell technology?
The technology is expensive, and a significant amount of energy is still required to create the hydrogen gas used in the fuel cell.