Chapter 20, Problem 37A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason due to which potassium ion is necessary to flow through the salt bridge to the cathode needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The salt bridge maintains electrical neutrality of two half cell solutions.

Answer to Problem 37A

To maintain the electrical neutrality of the half cell solutions.

Explanation of Solution

The charge abundance in the two half cells is stopped with the help of salt bridge. It helps the charge flow in the internal circuit. When positive ion concentration is increase at anode, then sufficient amount of nitrate ions drift from the salt bridge to the anode. Likewise, the negative charge abundance at cathode is neutralizes by the migration of sufficient amount of potassium ion from the salt bridge. Hence, the salt bridge gives the cations and anions for balancing the misbalancing of ions in the half cells

Conclusion

Potassium ion helps to neutralize the negative charge abundance at the cathode electrode or we can say that to maintain the electrical neutrality.