GCSEChemistry: Combined ScienceWJECRevision NotesChemical Bonding, Application Of Chemical Reactions & Organic ChemistryCrude Oil, Fuels & Organic ChemistryHydrogen as a Fuel

Hydrogen as a Fuel (WJEC GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

Revision Note

Alexandra Brennan

Last updated

Hydrogen as a Fuel

  • An alternative fuel to fossil fuels is hydrogen 
  • Hydrogen is used in rocket engines and in fuel cells to power some cars and buses
  • It reacts with oxygen in an exothermic reaction to produce water

hydrogen   +   oxygen   →   water

2H2 + O2 → 2H2O

  • Hydrogen has a series of advantages and disadvantages regarding its use as a fuel

Advantages

  • The hydrogen is produced from water so the process is renewable
  • Hydrogen only produces water on combustion, no other product is formed
    • Burning hydrogen therefore does not contribute towards global warming or acid rain

Disadvantages:

  • Requires large amounts of electricity to produce the hydrogen from water 
  • Difficult and dangerous to store due to bulky and pressurised containers being required 
  • Hydrogen forms an explosive mixture with air so could be hazardous

Examiner Tip

The economics of hydrogen production still makes it an expensive fuel compared to fossil fuels.

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    Alexandra Brennan

    Author: Alexandra Brennan

    Expertise: Chemistry

    Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.