CAS CH 102 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Stoichiometry, Galvanic Cell, Semicolon

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Zn has a higher standard electron potential, meaning that the zn(s) releases ions more readily. These extra electrons travel to the cathode, which the cu2+(aq) ions in the cuso4 solution receive. Copper ions and electrons (as shown by the reduction equation) creates cu(s), which form on the already present copper solid: now, because the anode has lost electrons, the znso4(aq) has extra positive ions. This is where the salt bridge comes in: the. Zn2+(aq) absorbs the negative ions (cl-(aq)) of the salt bridge: on the other hand, the cathode has received too many electrons. Just as zn2+(aq) absorbs the negative ions of the salt bridge, the electrons of the cathode receive the positive ions of the salt bridge: eventually, this brings the anode and cathode to equilibrium. But, because of the zinc more readily releasing electrons, the system is again out of balance. The system continues, generating a constant stream of electrons between the two cells.