AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 13 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 13
All Questions (13)
A) To store nonrenewable fuel sources
B) To generate power in the form of electricity
C) To produce hydrogen gas from water
D) To combine carbon dioxide and oxygen
Correct Answer: B
The text explicitly states that hydrogen fuel cells are used in 'power generation' and 'release energy (electricity) in the process.'
A) Water and carbon dioxide
B) Nonrenewable fuels and water
C) Hydrogen and oxygen
D) Electricity and water
Correct Answer: C
The text states that fuel cells 'use hydrogen as fuel, combining the hydrogen and oxygen in the air to form water.'
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Hydrogen gas
C) Oxygen
D) Water
Correct Answer: D
The text clearly identifies the output of the process: 'Water is the product (emission) of a fuel cell.'
A) They are inexpensive to produce.
B) They do not require any energy to operate.
C) They produce no carbon dioxide during operation.
D) They can use nonrenewable fuels efficiently.
Correct Answer: C
The text highlights that fuel cells 'have low environmental impact and produce no carbon dioxide when the hydrogen is produced from water.' The direct operation of the cell itself produces no CO2.
A) The emission of harmful water vapor
B) The high cost of the technology
C) The excessive use of nonrenewable resources
D) The production of large amounts of carbon dioxide
Correct Answer: B
The passage explicitly states that 'the technology is expensive.'
A) When they are used as an alternate to nonrenewable fuels
B) When the hydrogen used is produced from water
C) When the technology becomes less expensive
D) When they are combined with traditional power sources
Correct Answer: B
The text specifies that fuel cells 'produce no carbon dioxide when the hydrogen is produced from water,' linking the zero-emission benefit to the hydrogen production method.
A) They are a perfect, problem-free solution to energy needs.
B) They are a promising, low-impact alternative to nonrenewable fuels but face economic and energy-input challenges.
C) They are an inefficient and environmentally harmful technology that should be avoided.
D) They are a cheap and readily available technology that is ready for widespread immediate use.
Correct Answer: B
This answer correctly synthesizes the points made in the text: they are an 'alternate to nonrenewable fuel sources' with 'low environmental impact,' but the 'technology is expensive and energy is still needed to create the hydrogen gas.'
A) As a primary nonrenewable fuel source
B) As a technology that enhances fossil fuels
C) As an alternate to nonrenewable fuel sources
D) As a byproduct of industrial pollution
Correct Answer: C
The text directly states, 'Hydrogen fuel cells are an alternate to nonrenewable fuel sources.'
A) The price of the fuel cell technology
B) The source of energy used to produce the hydrogen gas
C) The temperature at which the fuel cell operates
D) The amount of water produced as a byproduct
Correct Answer: B
The text implies this by stating that 'energy is still needed to create the hydrogen gas.' If that energy comes from fossil fuels, the overall process would still have a carbon footprint, whereas if it comes from renewables (like using solar to split water), the impact is low.
A) Thermal energy
B) Nuclear energy
C) Mechanical energy
D) Electricity
Correct Answer: D
The text specifies that the process is used for power generation and to 'release energy (electricity) in the process.'
A) The operation of a fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air.
B) Hydrogen fuel cell technology is currently affordable for widespread use.
C) Water is the emission produced by a hydrogen fuel cell.
D) Energy is required to create the hydrogen fuel used in the cells.
Correct Answer: B
The text explicitly contradicts this statement by saying 'the technology is expensive.' All other options are directly supported by the text.
A) they are an inexpensive technology.
B) they consume nonrenewable resources.
C) their only direct emission is water.
D) they require very little energy to manufacture.
Correct Answer: C
The low environmental impact is directly linked to the outputs of the fuel cell reaction. The text states that the process forms 'water and release energy,' and that 'Water is the product (emission) of a fuel cell,' which is environmentally benign compared to CO2.
A) The creation of hydrogen gas and the consumption of electricity
B) The formation of carbon dioxide and the release of heat
C) The production of nonrenewable fuels from water
D) The formation of water and the release of electricity
Correct Answer: D
The text states that the process of combining hydrogen and oxygen is 'to form water and release energy (electricity) in the process.'