What is the fundamental operational distinction between batteries and fuel cells?
Answer
Batteries are energy storage devices; fuel cells are energy conversion devices.
The most critical difference lies in their function: batteries store all necessary chemical reactants internally to release power later, whereas fuel cells continuously convert external fuel into electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental operational distinction between batteries and fuel cells?What is required for a fuel cell to generate electricity continuously?How is the lifespan of a battery typically quantified?Which metric generally gives batteries an advantage in short-range electric vehicles?For heavy-duty vehicles requiring significant range, why might a fuel cell system offer better overall energy density than a massive battery pack?What is the primary difference in runtime mechanics between the two technologies?What is the typical byproduct that needs managing in a hydrogen fuel cell reaction?What components are necessary in a fuel cell system that are not primary parts of a simple battery system?Which application strongly favors fuel cell technology due to the need for continuous operation with minimal downtime?How does the chemical reaction within a battery differ from that of a fuel cell regarding system boundaries?