We have investigated the theory of polarization of a dipolar solvent by a newly created ion or free electron. As a reference system we have used the solvent together with the lsquo;lsquo;uncharged ion,rsquo;rsquo; and by means of statistical mechanics, we have examined the linear response of the system to the imposition of the ionic charge. The response depends upon the response at allkvalues, the lowkbehavior corresponding to continuum (universal) macroscopic dielectric effects, and the highkbehavior corresponding to molecular (specific) phenomena which may have to be treated by quantum mechanics. We have focused on the quasicontinuum limits for which the lowkbehavior is assumed, but the sizes of ions and dipoles, and the velocities of ions are incorporated. We also look at some general properties of highkbehavior; for example, because the polarization energy for small ions is independent of ion size, it is usually thought that solventbergs form about the ions, but, at least in part, this phenomenon can be explained by geometric considerations.
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