Answer:
Part a)
![F_(attraction) = 1.06 * 10^(-8) N](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/xfiusd9h8hkx45cyf1ehgu157epud0tsdz.png)
Part b)
![F_(repulsion) = 1.06 * 10^(-8) N](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/rm3j6lr6tr6b3n843iwxbqah59x2jvr4d6.png)
Step-by-step explanation:
Part a)
Equilibrium distance is the distance between two centers when two ions just touch each other
So here we will have
![r = 0.068 nm + 0.140 nm](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/hdby0vgjj4dus7n7x5yxppg0n85l03bdbp.png)
![r = 0.208 nm](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/5fqh020fwhz5jfa1mvu4mbyc7vuowkcj23.png)
Now Force of attraction between two ions is given by Coulomb's law
![F = (kq_1q_2)/(r^2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/high-school/eka9tvr5tnn8vf2css7lo2avevu14e9mqk.png)
![F = ((9* 10^9)(1.6 * 10^(-19))(2* 1.6 * 10^(-19)))/((0.208* 10^(-9))^2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/7allmcqy9n8omb3ru60qopl0cphtx8qxqm.png)
![F_(attraction) = 1.06 * 10^(-8) N](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/xfiusd9h8hkx45cyf1ehgu157epud0tsdz.png)
Part b)
At equilibrium separation net force between two ions must be zero
![F_(attraction) = F_(repulsion)](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/bvl4osk82bbcdjih9bp6cgdbmxst3w5u2z.png)
so the attraction force and repulsion force must be of equal magnitude
so we have
![F_(repulsion) = 1.06 * 10^(-8) N](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/physics/college/rm3j6lr6tr6b3n843iwxbqah59x2jvr4d6.png)