Why does a potential difference develop between the copper and zinc electrodes in a voltaic cell?

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Solution

At zinc rod, the zinc atoms get ionized and is passed into the solution as ${Z n}^{+ +}$ ions. This leaves the zinc rod with two electrons more, making it negative. At the same time, two hydrogen ions ( ${2 H}^{+}$ ) are discharged at the copper rod by taking these two electrons.This makes the copper rod positive. Due to opposite charges on the two plates, a potential difference is set up between copper and zinc.

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