Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ia / Paper 4 / 10A / b / ii / Solution

For $k=\kappa >0$, the same asymptotic data give $E=v^2/2$ and $|h|=bv$. At the central-force radial turning point,The positive root and the tangential speed, again with $q=\kappa /v^2$, areFor $b>0$, $\tilde{p}>b$ and $\tilde{u}<v$. The repulsive inverse-square force bends the trajectory away from the origin, as in the right-hand sketch. Its polar equation of a repulsive inverse-square orbit is $r=h^2/[\kappa (e\cos \varphi -1)]$, with $e=\sqrt{1+b^2{v}^4/{\kappa }^2}>1$ and $\varphi$ measured from closest approach.

For $b=0$, the regular radial turning point is $\tilde{p}=2\kappa /v^2$ and its speed is zero; the particle reverses direction there. The formula $bv/\tilde{p}$ still gives zero, while its rationalized form containing $1/b$ should be interpreted only by a limit.