# Problem: You may want to reference (Pages 165 - 166) Section 5.1 while completing this problem.A magnesium ion, Mg2+, with a charge of 3.2x10-19 C and an oxide ion, O2-, with a charge of -3.2x10-19 C, are separated by a distance of  0.40 nm.  How much work would be required to increase the separation of the two ions to an infinite distance?

###### FREE Expert Solution

E → electrostatic potential energy

$\overline{)\mathbf{W}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{E}}_{\mathbf{final}}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{E}}_{\mathbf{initial}}}$

$\overline{)\mathbf{E}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{k}}_{\mathbf{e}}\frac{{\mathbf{Q}}_{\mathbf{1}}\mathbf{·}{\mathbf{Q}}_{\mathbf{2}}}{\mathbf{d}}}$

Initially, distance of  0.40 nm:

1 nm = 10-9 m

d = 4.0x10-10 m

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###### Problem Details

You may want to reference (Pages 165 - 166) Section 5.1 while completing this problem.

A magnesium ion, Mg2+, with a charge of 3.2x10-19 C and an oxide ion, O2-, with a charge of -3.2x10-19 C, are separated by a distance of  0.40 nm.  How much work would be required to increase the separation of the two ions to an infinite distance?

What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?

Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Coulomb's Law concept. You can view video lessons to learn Coulomb's Law. Or if you need more Coulomb's Law practice, you can also practice Coulomb's Law practice problems.