Would a galvanic cell work without a salt bridge?

Answer 1

The electrolyte of a commercial galvanic cell normally extends from anode to cathode without interruption by a salt bridge. A salt bridge is normally a teaching tool to help show that: 1. Galvanic half-cells do not produce voltage 2. Conductors and insulators are not necessarily salt bridges. An electrolyte must extend from anode to cathode before the galvanic cell can produce voltage. 3. The chemical composition of the salt bridge can differ from the electrolytes in the half cells. 4. Ions travel through the salt bridge between the cell's anode and cathode. Salt bridges raise more questions than answers. For example: 1. Can the difference between an electrolyte and a conductor be defined? 2. How do ions quickly move through a solid or a long electrolyte? 3. When salt bridge composition differs from the galvanic cell electrolyte(s), must the salt bridge chemically react with the galvanic cell electrolyte(s)? 4. Why does galvanic cell voltage remain nearly constant while anode to cathode distance doubles.

Answer 2

No, a galvanic cell cannot function properly without a salt bridge because the salt bridge maintains charge neutrality by allowing ions to move between the two half-cells. Without a salt bridge, charge would build up, disrupting the cell's ability to produce an electric current.