An NaCl molecule is bound by the electric force between the sodium and chlorine ions when one electron from sodium is transferred to chlorine. Assuming the ions act as point charges and taking the separation between them to be 2.75 10⁻⁸ cm , determine the force of attraction between them.

Step-by-step solution

The charges on the sodium and chlorine ions are +e and -e respectively, where e = 1.6 10⁻¹⁹ C . The separation between the ions is r = 2.75 10⁻⁸ cm = 2.75 10⁻¹⁰ m . Using Coulomb's law, the force of attraction is given by: F = 1 4 ₀ q₁ q₂ r^2 Substituting the values: F = 9 10^9 (1.6 10⁻¹⁹)^2 (2.75 10⁻¹⁰)^2 F = 9 10^9 2.56 10⁻³⁸ 7.5625 10⁻²⁰ F = 23.04 10⁻²⁹ 7.5625 10⁻²⁰ F 3.05 10⁻⁹ N