Question

Which of the following species acts as reducing agent during working of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell?

Options

• H₂

• O₂

• H⁺

• NaOH

Answer 1

H₂

Explanation:

In a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, the following reactions occur at each electrode:

Anode (oxidation, reducing agent acts here):

H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻

Cathode (reduction):

O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O

H₂ loses electrons (oxidised) → it is the reducing agent.