Galvanic and fuel cells

[roly182]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knew if we're required to have knowledge of all the varieties of fuel cells (alkaline, phosphoric acid, MC, solid oxide, PEM and direct methanol) and galvanic (Alkaline zinc/manganese dioxide, Button, zinc-air, Lithium, LA accumulator, Ni.Cd, Ni hydride, litium ion) as my jacaranda text goes through them and all equation/details whereas my neslon text does not. Although ive already learnt them, considering it is a fair bit of knowledge, is it worth revising still? Anyone else learnt them all? I think i recall the sample exam having something on direct methanol fuel cells so this might be an indication we should learn it. Thanks!!

[Collin Li]

No, I don't think you need to know any specifics. The stock standard that seem to be in most textbooks are:

- Daniell cell (just copper and zinc half cells, read that off your electrochemical series)

- dry cell
- alkaline cell
- lead-acid rechargeable cell
- nickel-cadmium rechargeable cell

I did not go into my exam knowing these, but most books will cover these 4 or 5, and the new course hasn't asked for anything different from the old course in this area.

For fuel cells, you shouldn't need to know any off by heart -- they should give you enough information in the question to work out the half-equations and/or equation.

[roly182]

Oh ohk thanks coblin! Just stick to the basics then..