Assuming that the distances between the two ions are the same in all cases, which of the following ion pairs has the greatest electrostatic potential energy (i.e., largest in magnitude)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electrostatic potential energy between two ions is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the distance between them. Since the distances between the ion pairs are assumed to be the same, we only need to compare their charges. In option D, the two ions have the highest absolute values of charges (Al has a charge of 3- and O has a charge of 2-), making it the pair with the greatest electrostatic potential energy.

Assuming That the Distances Between the Two Ions Are the Same