So the salt bridge allows diffusion of ions to maintain charge neutrality of half cells in an electrochemical cell, permitting current to continue. So when a battery is not in use, the diffusion can continue. Now, this is the diffusion of the electroyte solution in the salt bridge itself, not the actual ions involved in the reduction and oxidation, correct? In my notes I have:
"When a battery is not in use, the diffusion can continue through at a slower rate. In this case, Fe2+ can "diffuse" to Zn-Zn2+ half cell and be reduced. Eventually most Fe2+ are reduced and battery is no good (dead)."
How is it that the Fe2+ can diffuse across the salt bridge? The reason I have diffuse in quotations is because there is a missing word in my note here and I assumed this is the word that fits in--maybe it wasn't the word though.