Deflection Angle in a Repulsive Coulomb Field

[Pyroadept]

Homework Statement

Find the deflection angle of a particle moving in a repulsive Coulomb field.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Hi everyone,
I can do this no problem if I just knew the equation for a repulsive Coulomb field! Can anyone please help me with this?

Thanks

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Pyroadept!

Isn't that just a force of 1/r² radially outward?

 

[Pyroadept]

Hi Pyroadept!

Isn't that just a force of 1/r² radially outward?

So, at the risk of sounding incredibally stupid, that would mean a potential energy of U = 1/r?

 

[tiny-tim]

A potential of 1/r …

potential energy would be q/r (for a body with charge q).

(or is it minus that? … i get confused )