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

For equal $|k|=\kappa$ in the two cases, their closest distances are conjugate roots expressed with the same $q=\kappa /v^2$. ConsequentlyAt either central-force radial turning point, the velocity is tangential and conservation of angular momentum gives $pu=\tilde{p}\tilde{u}=bv$. ThusThese attractive and repulsive inverse-square closest approaches pair a shorter, faster attractive passage with a longer, slower repulsive one. The speed-product conclusion assumes $b>0$; at $b=0$, the attractive orbit hits the singular centre with unbounded speed, so the formal product with the repulsive zero speed is not defined.