[UG]

Where does the role of salt bridge ions come here.
What I thought of this line in Wikipedia is that the Zn²⁺ ions move to the Cu electrode and neutralize the SO₄^2- ions and the SO₄^2- ions move to the Zn electrode and neutralize the Zn²⁺ ions.

Is this right?

Yes, well initially, you would still need the salt bridge to complete the circuit or else the reaction won't even get started, after a while, I suppose the different ions can move all over the place and keep the half-cells neutral. That's all I've got I'm afraid 

[Schrödinger]

Since the Zn rod is negatively charged with respect to the solution, will there not be a layer of Zn2+ around this rod due to opposite charge attraction?

This is quite an absurd question.

[UG]

Since the Zn rod is negatively charged with respect to the solution, will there not be a layer of Zn2+ around this rod due to opposite charge attraction?

This is quite an absurd question.

Huh? Sorry mate, you're just confusing me even more about what you are asking  
Of course there will be Zn²⁺ ions around the rod because they are constantly being produced by the oxidation of zinc

[Schrödinger]

It's alright. Let's drop the question.

About your reply to arjunarul's post....
So, you mean we can find some ZnSO4 in CuSO4 beaker?

[Schrödinger]

Since the Zn rod is negatively charged with respect to the solution, will there not be a layer of Zn2+ around this rod due to opposite charge attraction?

This is quite an absurd question.

Huh? Sorry mate, you're just confusing me even more about what you are asking 
Of course there will be Zn²⁺ ions around the rod because they are constantly being produced by the oxidation of zinc

So, do we use the salt bridge to prevent this build up of Zn2+ layer around the Zn rod?

[UG]

So, you mean we can find some ZnSO4 in CuSO4 beaker?

Well Wikipedia basically said it. Zn²⁺ ions by the way, sulfate ions were already there to start off with.

So, do we use the salt bridge to prevent this build up of Zn2+ layer around the Zn rod?

Yes, the nitrate ions takes care of this

[Schrödinger]

Got it!

Thanx mate...I'm giving you a mole snack...

[UG]

Thanks man 
Good luck!

[arjunarul]

I'll tell what I understood now. Please tell if it is right.

Both the processes take place:

1. K⁺ and Cl^- ions go to the opposite ends of the salt bridge ( K⁺ near the oxidative part and Cl^- near the reductive part).
So, the Zn²⁺ ions come near the salt bridge and so, it does not accumulate near the electrode, thus allowing free electron flow. Similarly for the the other part.

2. The Zn ²⁺ ions move to the reductive half and the SO4^2- ions go to the oxidative part. This neutralizes the excess charge.

Some Zn²⁺ ions undergo first process while others undergo second process.

[UG]

I'll tell what I understood now. Please tell if it is right.

Both the processes take place:

1. K⁺ and Cl^- ions go to the opposite ends of the salt bridge ( K⁺ near the oxidative part and Cl^- near the reductive part). The other way round, K+ moves to the cathode
So, the Zn²⁺ ions come near the salt bridge and so, it does not accumulate near the electrode, thus allowing free electron flow. Similarly for the the other part. Yes

2. The Zn ²⁺ ions move to the reductive half and the SO4^2- ions go to the oxidative part. This neutralizes the excess charge. I am not sure about SO₄^2-, the concentration should be 1 mol L^-1 in each half-cell so there shouldn't be any net movement

Some Zn²⁺ ions undergo first process while others undergo second process.

[arjunarul]

1. K⁺ and Cl^- ions go to the opposite ends of the salt bridge ( K⁺ near the oxidative part and Cl^- near the reductive part). The other way round, K+ moves to the cathode
Sorry, it was silly of me.

2. The Zn ²⁺ ions move to the reductive half and the SO4^2- ions go to the oxidative part. This neutralizes the excess charge. I am not sure about SO₄^2-, the concentration should be 1 mol L^-1 in each half-cell so there shouldn't be any net movement
Ok. But it was given like that in Wikipedia right??

So, according to you, it's something like diffusion of ions due to difference in concentrations right? So, if we use ZnCl₂ and CuSO₄, concentration of SO₄ is zero in the other half. So, will they start diffusing through the salt bridge till they become evenly distributed???

I guess that I am terribly wrong somewhere.