What is a salt bridge and what is its function in a galvanic cell?

What is a salt bridge and what is its function in a galvanic cell?

• A. A salt bridge allows ion flow to maintain electrical neutrality and complete the circuit.
• B. A salt bridge transfers electrons directly between electrodes.
• C. A salt bridge provides a path for water to enter the cell.
• D. A salt bridge stores chemical reagents for the reaction

Answer: (A)

A salt bridge is a channel containing an electrolyte that connects the two half-cells and lets ions flow between them. Its job is to keep the solutions electrically neutral as the redox reaction proceeds, so the circuit can stay closed. As oxidation releases ions into the anode solution and reduction consumes ions at the cathode, positive and negative charges would build up if nothing shared them. The salt bridge supplies ions to balance those charges: anions move toward the anode to counter excess positive charge, and cations move toward the cathode to replace lost positive charge. This internal ion flow completes the circuit and prevents the reaction from stopping, while electrons still travel through the external wire. The salt bridge does not transfer electrons, nor does it provide water or store reagents.

A salt bridge is a channel containing an electrolyte that connects the two half-cells and lets ions flow between them. Its job is to keep the solutions electrically neutral as the redox reaction proceeds, so the circuit can stay closed. As oxidation releases ions into the anode solution and reduction consumes ions at the cathode, positive and negative charges would build up if nothing shared them. The salt bridge supplies ions to balance those charges: anions move toward the anode to counter excess positive charge, and cations move toward the cathode to replace lost positive charge. This internal ion flow completes the circuit and prevents the reaction from stopping, while electrons still travel through the external wire. The salt bridge does not transfer electrons, nor does it provide water or store reagents.