Students are attempting to construct a battery in the laboratory that will light up a light bulb. Compare the following lists prepared by students and determine which student will not be able to successfully build a "battery" that will light up the bulb.

Student 1
large beaker
strip of aluminum metal
strip of silver metal
silver nitrate solution
aluminum nitrate solution
sodium nitrate solution
a porous membrane
a length of copper wire
light bulb

Student 2
2 beakers
strip of magnesium metal
strip of nickel metal
magnesium chloride solution
nickel(II) chloride solution
potassium chloride salt bridge
a length of copper wire
light bulb

Student 3
2 beakers
strip of zinc metal
strip of gold metal
gold(III) chloride solution
zinc(II) chloride solution
sodium chloride salt bridge
a length of copper wire
light bulb

Student 4
1 large beaker
strip of cadmium metal
strip of copper metal
copper(II) chloride solution
cadmium chloride solution
sodium chloride salt bridge
a length of copper wire
light bulb

does student one need a salt bridge?

Oh dear, I am so stupid! Thank you. I can't believe that I didn't even realize that.

To determine which student will not be able to successfully build a "battery" that will light up the bulb, we need to consider the components required to create a functional battery.

A battery usually consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) made of different metals or metal ions in solution, an electrolyte to allow ion movement, and a conductive material to connect the electrodes. The flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode through the conductive material creates an electric current, which can power a light bulb.

Let's compare the components listed by each student:

Student 1:
- Large beaker
- Strip of aluminum metal
- Strip of silver metal
- Silver nitrate solution
- Aluminum nitrate solution
- Sodium nitrate solution
- Porous membrane
- Length of copper wire
- Light bulb

Student 2:
- 2 beakers
- Strip of magnesium metal
- Strip of nickel metal
- Magnesium chloride solution
- Nickel(II) chloride solution
- Potassium chloride salt bridge
- Length of copper wire
- Light bulb

Student 3:
- 2 beakers
- Strip of zinc metal
- Strip of gold metal
- Gold(III) chloride solution
- Zinc(II) chloride solution
- Sodium chloride salt bridge
- Length of copper wire
- Light bulb

Student 4:
- 1 large beaker
- Strip of cadmium metal
- Strip of copper metal
- Copper(II) chloride solution
- Cadmium chloride solution
- Sodium chloride salt bridge
- Length of copper wire
- Light bulb

All students have the necessary components for a functioning battery, including metal strips for the anode and cathode, solutions for electrolytes, a salt bridge to allow ion movement, a conductive wire, and a light bulb. However, student 1 is missing one crucial element, which is a porous membrane.

A porous membrane is usually used to separate the anode and cathode compartments in order to prevent direct contact between the metal strips while still allowing ion movement. Without the porous membrane, the reaction will occur too quickly and the battery will not work effectively. Therefore, student 1 will not be able to successfully build a battery that will light up the bulb.