Free energies of ionic solvation calculated from computer simulations exhibit
a strong system size dependence. We perform a finite-size analysis based on a
dielectric-continuum model with periodic boundary conditions. That analysis
results in an estimate of the Born ion size. Remarkably, the finite-size
correction applies to systems with only eight water molecules hydrating a
sodium ion and results in an estimate of the Born radius of sodium that agrees
with the experimental value.Comment: 2 EPS figure