placed in an aqueous solution of . Both zinc sulfate and copper sulfate exist as ions in an aqueous solution, allowing the remaining ions to cross the salt bridge and equalize the charge distribution.
Example:
Write the half cell reactions and describe the structure of the following galvanic cell: one beaker has solid magnesium in an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate, the other beaker has solid lead in an aqueous solution of lead sulfate. In this cell, magnesium is being oxidized.
Since magnesium is being oxidized, it is losing electrons. Its half reaction is therefore
