The fuel cell has two platinum electrodes with a porous acid-electrolyte material sandwiched between them. As the exhaled air from the suspect flows past one side of the fuel cell, the platinum oxidizes any alcohol in the air to produce acetic acid, protons and electrons. The electrons flow ...
When we switch on the power, the copper sulfate solution splits into ions (atoms with too few or too many electrons). Copper ions (which are positively charged) are attracted to the negatively charged brass electrode and slowly deposit on it—producing a thin later of copper plate. Meanwhile...
In an unbiased state, free electrons will move from the n-type semiconductor to the metal in order to establish balance. This flow of electrons created the Schottky Barrier where negative and positive ions meet. Free electrons will need a greater supplied energy than their built-in voltage to ...
Modern solar cells are made of semiconductor materials like silicon or cadmium telluride. Light falling on this material energizes its electrons, giving them enough energy to create a flow of electrical current. A typical solar panel combines dozens of solar cells in an electrical circuit to produc...
How does hydrogen work in a car then? From its tank, the hydrogen is passed through an anode in a fuel-cell. The anode has a catalyst – usually platinum – which forces the hydrogen to split into protons and electrons. The protons get sucked across a ‘proton exchange membrane’ (PEM...
The nucleus is surrounded by orbitals containing electrons. In some materials such as metals, electrons are bound loosely to the nucleus so they can detach and move when a voltage is applied. These materials are known as conductors and can conduct electricity. The flow of electrons is called ...
Inside the panels are special materials called semiconductors. When the sun’s rays hit the solar panel, they transfer their energy to atoms in the semiconductor. This solar energy knocks electrons — tiny negative particles of energy — loose from the atoms, setting them in motion. As sunshine...
The negative terminal (red) is made of platinum, a precious metal catalyst designed to speed up the chemistry that happens in the fuel cell. When atoms of hydrogen gas reach the catalyst, they split up into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons (small black blobs). In case you're confused...
With improvements in technology, the lifespan of modern solar panels has increased significantly. Find out how long you can expect solar panels to last.
Are we creating free energy from nothing? Not at all - it’s just physics! Consider that electrons carry both electricity and heat. Take a piece of bare copper wire and close your hand around it at one end. Energized by the heat from your skin, electrons will propagate from the area ...