---
title: "A student constructs a galvanic cell using a zinc electrode in a solution of \\(1.0\\text{ M }\\text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\\text{(aq)}\\) and a copper electrode in a solution of \\(1.0\\text{ M }\\text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\\text{(aq)}\\). The half-cells are connected by an external wire through an ammeter and a salt bridge containing \\(\\text{KNO}_3\\text{(aq)}\\). The ammeter registers a steady positive current. If the student removes the salt bridge while keeping the wire connected, which of the following best describes the change in current and the explanation for that change?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119265/"
date_modified: "2026-08-19T12:39:35+00:00"
---

# A student constructs a galvanic cell using a zinc electrode in a solution of \(1.0\text{ M }\text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\) and a copper electrode in a solution of \(1.0\text{ M }\text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\). The half-cells are connected by an external wire through an ammeter and a salt bridge containing \(\text{KNO}_3\text{(aq)}\). The ammeter registers a steady positive current. If the student removes the salt bridge while keeping the wire connected, which of the following best describes the change in current and the explanation for that change?

A student constructs a galvanic cell using a zinc electrode in a solution of \(1.0\text{ M }\text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\) and a copper electrode in a solution of \(1.0\text{ M }\text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\). The half-cells are connected by an external wire through an ammeter and a salt bridge containing \(\text{KNO}_3\text{(aq)}\). The ammeter registers a steady positive current. If the student removes the salt bridge while keeping the wire connected, which of the following best describes the change in current and the explanation for that change?

- **A.** The current increases because removing the salt bridge decreases the total internal electrical resistance of the cell.
- **B.** The current drops to zero because electrons are no longer able to flow through the salt bridge to complete the electrical circuit.
- **C.** The current drops to zero because ion migration between half-cells stops, leading to charge accumulation that prevents further electron flow through the wire.
- **D.** The current remains unchanged because electron movement through the external wire is independent of ion movement in the aqueous solutions.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119265/*