Final answer:
To generate a standard emf in a galvanic cell, one must add a 1 M solution of the respective ions A2+ and B2+ to the beakers containing their corresponding electrodes A(s) and B(s) and include a salt bridge to complete the circuit and maintain charge balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a cell to generate a standard electromotive force (emf), specific conditions need to be met. Particularly, certain additions to the electrochemical cell are required:
- You must add enough salt containing A2+ into the glass containing the electrode A(s) to produce a 1 M A2+ solution.
- You should add enough salt containing B2+ into the glass containing the electrode B(s) to produce a 1 M B2+ solution.
- Include a salt bridge as a crucial component of the galvanic cell to maintain electrical neutrality by allowing ions to flow between the two half-cells, preventing the solutions from mixing, and stopping the buildup of charge that would otherwise halt the cell's reactions.
Only these components are necessary for the standard operation of a galvanic cell. An initial emf does not need to be applied, as the cell operates based on the spontaneous redox reactions between the two electrodes.