23.

53: a) 
 3 3 1   2 3 1   2 2 1 
U  kq 2      kq 2       kq 2     
 d 2d 3d   d 2d 3d   d 2d 3d 
 1 2 1   2 1   1 1   1
 kq 2       kq 2      kq 2      kq 2  
 d 2 d 3 d   d 2 d   d 2 d   d
 12 12 4  12kq 2
1 1 
 U  kq 2      1      1.46 q 2 πε0 d
 d 2 d 3 d  d  2 3 3 

b) The fact that the electric potential energy is less than zero means that it is
energetically favourable for the crystal ions to be together.