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Separate Chemistry · Paper 1 · Higher Tier only

Fuel cells: follow the electrons

Key ideas1 of 4

Hydrogen loses electrons

In an acidic hydrogen fuel cell, the negative electrode reaction is 2H₂ → 4H⁺ + 4e⁻. Hydrogen is oxidised because it loses electrons. The electrons pass through the external circuit.

Acidic fuel cell half-equations: hydrogen loses electrons at the negative electrode; oxygen gains electrons at the positive electrode.

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Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Higher Tier only. Use alongside the shared C1–C5 lessons.

AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 · 4.5.2. Original teaching notes, questions and diagrams.