Does the salt bridge stay intact forever? I was doing a Kaplan topical and a question came up, regarding how long a voltaic cell would continue to proceed.. two of the choices were 1. the reaction will proceed until it has reached equilbrium.. (the correct answer)... and 2. until the salt bridge allows the ions to mix... I understand why the reaction would not produce a current once equilibrium is established.. but kaplan's explanation says that a salt bridge ALWAYS stays intact.. I took that as it can never get depleted.. is this correct? I thought that the salt bridge will eventually get depleted and the reaction will stop.. so if both choices are presented what would be the limiting factor, salt bridge depletion (if it indeed does get depleted) or establishment of equilbrium...??
salt bridge vs. equilibrium
- Thread starter km1865
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a salt bridge is like any other bridge that allows you to cross a street, a river, etc. it just allows the flow of ions from one side to the other to conserve charge. the salt bridge doesn't actually take any part in the reaction, its simply a selective way to let ions flow from one half cell to the other.
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Well - these are idealized salt bridges.
Anyways, protip: reactions ALWAYS "go until equilibrium". The allowing ions into the mix blahblahblahblah is misdirection. Did you ever learn about the solution ions crossing the salt bridge in Genchem? No? Then it's nonsense.
Anyways, protip: reactions ALWAYS "go until equilibrium". The allowing ions into the mix blahblahblahblah is misdirection. Did you ever learn about the solution ions crossing the salt bridge in Genchem? No? Then it's nonsense.
