Question

Rutherford scattering for an attractive force In class we assumed that the central force is repulsive. Find the differential cross section σ(Θ) of an attractive force F = −k/r2 . Plot the characteristics trajectory of a test particle scattered off an attractive force.

Please be detailed in your answer and clearly explain where each constant or variable come from in your set up of the problem.

Answer 1

Here The Born Approxmation for scattering is used, in which we assume the potential is weak enough to distort the incident wave slightly and the scattered wave function can be considered as the plane wave too.