---
title: "A student constructs the galvanic cell represented below at \\(298\\text{ K}\\).  \\[\\text{Zn(s)} + \\text{Cu}^{2+}\\text{(aq)} \\rightarrow \\text{Zn}^{2+}\\text{(aq)} + \\text{Cu(s)}\\quad E^\\circ_{\\text{cell}} = +1.10\\text{ V}\\]  The cell consists of a \\(\\text{Zn(s)}\\) electrode in \\(1.0\\text{ M } \\text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\\text{(aq)}\\) and a \\(\\text{Cu(s)}\\) electrode in \\(1.0\\text{ M } \\text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\\text{(aq)}\\), connected by an external wire with a voltmeter and a salt bridge containing \\(\\text{KNO}_3\\text{(aq)}\\). While current is flowing and the voltmeter displays \\(+1.10\\text{ V}\\), the student removes the salt bridge from both beakers. Which of the following best predicts and explains the immediate change in the voltmeter reading?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123933/"
date_modified: "2026-09-28T12:32:18+00:00"
---

# A student constructs the galvanic cell represented below at \(298\text{ K}\).

\[\text{Zn(s)} + \text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)} + \text{Cu(s)}\quad E^\circ_{\text{cell}} = +1.10\text{ V}\]

The cell consists of a \(\text{Zn(s)}\) electrode in \(1.0\text{ M } \text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\) and a \(\text{Cu(s)}\) electrode in \(1.0\text{ M } \text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\), connected by an external wire with a voltmeter and a salt bridge containing \(\text{KNO}_3\text{(aq)}\). While current is flowing and the voltmeter displays \(+1.10\text{ V}\), the student removes the salt bridge from both beakers. Which of the following best predicts and explains the immediate change in the voltmeter reading?

A student constructs the galvanic cell represented below at \(298\text{ K}\).

\[\text{Zn(s)} + \text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)} + \text{Cu(s)}\quad E^\circ_{\text{cell}} = +1.10\text{ V}\]

The cell consists of a \(\text{Zn(s)}\) electrode in \(1.0\text{ M } \text{Zn(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\) and a \(\text{Cu(s)}\) electrode in \(1.0\text{ M } \text{Cu(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)}\), connected by an external wire with a voltmeter and a salt bridge containing \(\text{KNO}_3\text{(aq)}\). While current is flowing and the voltmeter displays \(+1.10\text{ V}\), the student removes the salt bridge from both beakers. Which of the following best predicts and explains the immediate change in the voltmeter reading?

![A grayscale schematic diagram of a galvanic cell. On the left, a beaker labeled 1.0 M Zn(NO3)2(aq) contains a solid rectangular strip labeled Zn(s). On the right, a beaker labeled 1.0 M Cu(NO3)2(aq) contains a solid rectangular strip labeled Cu(s). A wire connects the two solid strips through a central circular meter labeled V displaying +1.10 V. An inverted U-tube labeled KNO3(aq) salt bridge dips its ends into both beakers. No other particles, labels, text, or annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1790598738-UHJjZ4.jpg)

- **A.** The reading remains at \(+1.10\text{ V}\) because electrons continue to transfer freely through the external wire connecting the two electrodes.
- **B.** The reading increases above \(+1.10\text{ V}\) because the higher internal resistance created by removing the bridge forces an increase in cell potential.
- **C.** The reading drops to \(0.00\text{ V}\) because the migration of ions ceases, preventing the maintenance of electrical neutrality needed for current to flow.
- **D.** The reading drops to \(0.00\text{ V}\) because electrons can no longer travel through the salt bridge to complete the circuit.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123933/*