Exact Calculation of the Solvation Energy of a Pair of Ions in Polar Media within the Framework of the Dielectric Continuum Model

The solvation energy of a pair of ions in polar media is exactly calculated within the framework of the dielectric continuum model. The ions are modeled as either conducting spheres with charges on their surfaces or spherical vacuum cavities with point charges at their centers. The results show that if the two ions are close to each other, the solvation energy is different from the results known in the literature.