Ome fuel cells are powered by hydrogen. scientists are looking into the decomposition of water (h2o) to make hydrogen fuel with the of the sun’s energy. what challenge do scientists face with this task?

Answer is: Decomposing water requires a high activation energy.

Electrolysis of water is the decomposition reaction, because from one molecule (water) two molecules (hydrogen and oxygen) are produced. Water is separeted into two molecules:

Reaction of reduction at cathode: 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → H₂(g).

Reaction of oxidation at anode: 2H₂O(l) → O₂(g) + 4H⁺(aq) + 4e⁻.

a mercury barometer is a device that uses the physical properties of mercury in a tube to measure barometric pressure. mercury barometers are used for : -

1. measurement of atmospheric pressure  

2. determining the altitude of a place

3. weather forecasting

4. calibration and checking of aneroid barometers

5. application in fluid mechanics

6. measurement of pressure in aircrafts

7. surface weather analysis

8. preparation of barographs

9. usage in physical sciences like physics, astronomy & chemistry

10. preparation of aircraft altimeters

characteristics of mercury barometer : -

1.used to define and measure atmospheric pressure.

2.on the average at sea level the column of mercury rises to a height of about 760 mm.

3.this quantity is equal to 1 atmosphere.

4.it is also known as standard atmospheric pressure.

5.a barometer in which the weight of a column of mercury in a glass tube with a sealed top is balanced against that of the atmosphere pressing on an exposed cistern of mercury at the base of the mercury column, the height of the column varying with atmospheric pressure.