Fuel Cells and Chemical Cells

Chemical Cells

Chemical cells create electricity by using two electrodes and an electrolyte (that is ionic in order to conduct electricity by ions carrying charge). Electricity is produced by the charge difference during the two seperate electrodes' reaction causing a charge to flow through a wire to create a voltage/potential difference.

Factors Affecting Volatge

• The difference in reactivity between the two electrodes (the greater the difference, the higher the volatge).
• The material of the electrodes, which may react differently to the electrolyte.
• The electrolyte becuase they would contain different ions, which would react differently to the electrodes.
• The number of cells joined in series to form a battery.

Non-rechargable Chemical Cells vs Rechargable Chemical Cells

Non-rechargable cells will stop producing electricity when one of the reactants become a limiting reactant so it will not make any more products. This is an irreversible reaction and will not be reversed by an external electrical current like rechargable batteries can be.

Example of Non-rechargable Cell:

• Alkaline Batteries

Example of Rechargable Cell:

• Lithium Ion…