Question

Which of the following statements is true? (a) Fuel cells are widely used in automobiles. (b) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) is readily available as a transportation fuel. (c) Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons. (d) Methane hydrate can never be developed as a commercial energy resource.

Short answer

Option (c) is true: Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze Option (a)

Consider the statement 'Fuel cells are widely used in automobiles.' Currently, while research and development are underway, fuel cells are not yet widely used in automobiles. Most vehicles use internal combustion engines or electric batteries.

Analyze Option (b)

Consider the statement '\(\mathrm{H}_2\) is readily available as a transportation fuel.' Hydrogen is not readily available as a transportation fuel because it requires a special infrastructure for production, storage, and distribution, which is not yet widespread.

Analyze Option (c)

Consider the statement 'Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons.' Petroleum is indeed a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, including alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Analyze Option (d)

Consider the statement 'Methane hydrate can never be developed as a commercial energy resource.' While currently challenging, research suggests potential for methane hydrates to become a viable commercial energy resource in the future.

Determine the True Statement

Based on the analysis, option (c) is the true statement. Petroleum is a well-known mixture of hydrocarbons, and this fact is widely accepted in the field of chemistry and fuel technology.

Key concepts

Fuel cells

Fuel cells are devices that convert the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. They are different from batteries in that they require a continuous source of fuel and oxygen to sustain the chemical reaction. Commonly, hydrogen is used as the fuel.

Here are some important points about fuel cells:

• Fuel cells produce electricity, water, and heat as by-products.
• They can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, stationary power generation, and portable power devices.
• Unlike conventional combustion engines, fuel cells are efficient and environmentally friendly, with little to no emissions other than water vapor.
• Cost and durable infrastructure remain major hurdles for widespread adoption.

In automobiles, while the technology is promising, it's not yet prevalent. The current market sees more electric vehicles using batteries rather than fuel cells. The development in fuel cell technology is ongoing, with advancements aimed at cost reduction and durability improvements.

Hydrogen fuel

Hydrogen fuel is seen as a big player in the future of clean energy. It's considered an ideal energy carrier due to its abundance and the fact it emits no pollutants when used. Despite its benefits, hydrogen fuel is not readily available for regular use in transportation.

Key things to know about hydrogen fuel include:

• It needs to be produced from other substances, commonly through methods like electrolysis or steam methane reforming.
• Special infrastructure is necessary for its production, storage, and distribution.
• Hydrogen is light and energy dense, meaning it has significant potential for energy-efficient usage.
• The current challenges lie in the development of efficient storage and transport methods.

Although not yet widespread, efforts are ongoing to create a sustainable hydrogen economy. This includes investing in infrastructure and creating new technologies for efficient hydrogen production and storage.

Methane hydrate

Methane hydrate, also known as methane clathrate, is an ice-like substance found in ocean sediments and beneath permafrost containing large amounts of methane. Its potential as an energy resource is significant, although not without its challenges.

Some of the intriguing aspects of methane hydrate are:

• It contains more energy than all other forms of fossil fuels.
• Extracting methane from these hydrates is technically difficult and expensive due to its location.
• The potential risks of extraction include environmental impact and stability of marine environments.
• Despite challenges, successful small-scale extraction tests have been conducted in countries like Japan and Canada.

Research is ongoing to make methane hydrates a feasible commercial energy resource. The hope is that advancements in technology will reduce extraction costs and environmental risks.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are the primary components of petroleum and natural gas, serving as a significant source of energy for the world.

Some key points regarding hydrocarbons include:

• Types of hydrocarbons include alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics, each differing in structure and properties.
• They are used as fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) and as feedstock for producing plastics, chemicals, and other materials.
• Petroleum, a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, is refined to obtain different fuel types and petrochemical products.
• Hydrocarbons are a significant source of energy but also a major contributor to environmental pollution when combusted.

Understanding hydrocarbons is essential as they play a crucial role in energy generation and economic activities, yet pose challenges for environmental sustainability.