# A chemical cell stops producing a voltage after a period of time, whereas a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell can continue to produce a voltage for as long as it is supplied with fuel. Explain the difference between how a chemical cell and a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell produce a voltage, and why only one of them will eventually stop working.

> Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) — 5.4 Chemical cells and fuel cells (Chem only) · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. A chemical cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy using two metal electrodes and an electrolyte
2. The chemical cell stops producing a voltage when one of the reactants (electrode materials or electrolyte) is used up
3. A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that continuously produces a voltage as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied
4. The only product of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is water, so the reactants are not stored inside the cell and do not run out in the same way as a chemical cell

## Key terms

- [chemical cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chemical-cell)
- [fuel cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fuel-cell)
- [hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hydrogen-oxygen-fuel-cell)
- [voltage](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/voltage)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-chemical-cell-stops-producing-a-79923938) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.