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Compared with an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell using the same reaction is typically:
AMore than twice as efficient
BAbout half as efficient
CExactly as efficient
DVery slightly less efficient
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. More than twice as efficient
1. Within a fuel cell, fuel and oxidant undergo the same redox chemistry as when they are combusted.
2. They do so via a catalysed electrochemical route that is significantly more efficient.
3. Compared to an internal combustion engine, the energy efficiency of a fuel cell using the same redox reaction is typically more than double.
4. The figures are roughly 20 to 25 percent for an engine against 50 to 75 percent for a fuel cell.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 17 'Electrochemistry', sections 17.1-17.7_
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