Deflection angle of a particle integral

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the deflection angle of a particle scattered by a central field described by a potential function. The problem involves evaluating an integral related to the angle of deflection, which is expressed in terms of the potential energy and other constants.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the structure of the integral and consider techniques such as completing the square and substitutions to simplify the expression. Some participants express uncertainty about handling terms outside the square root and the implications of assumptions regarding constants.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the integral, suggesting various methods for simplification and expressing concerns about specific terms. There is a recognition of the complexity involved, and some guidance has been offered regarding potential substitutions and techniques to consider.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem as posed, with specific constants and assumptions about their values being discussed. The nature of the potential function and its impact on the integral is a focal point of the conversation.

Lightf
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the deflection angle of the particle if it is scattered by this central field.

$$ U = \frac{α - β r - γ r^2}{r^2} $$


Homework Equations


Angle of deflection is given by:
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r^2\sqrt{2m(E-U) - \frac{M^2}{r^2}}}$$


The Attempt at a Solution



$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r^2\sqrt{2m(E-U) - \frac{M^2}{r^2}}}$$
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r^2\sqrt{2m(E-\frac{α-βr-γr^2}{r^2}) - \frac{M^2}{r^2}}}$$
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r\sqrt{2m(Er^2 - α - βr - γr^2) - M^2}}$$
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r\sqrt{2m(E-γ)r^2 - 2mβr - (2mα - M^2)}}$$

I am not sure how to solve this integral.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Renaming the constants, it is
[tex]\int \frac{dr}{r\sqrt{Ar^2+ Br+ C}}[/tex]
Seeing that quadratic in the square root, my first thought would be to "complete the square" in the square root:
[tex]Ar^2+ Br+ C= A(x^2+ (B/A)r )+ C= A(r^2+ (B/A)r+ B^2/4A^2)- B^2/4A+ C= A(r+B/2A)^2+ C- B^2/4A[/tex]
Let u= r+ B/2A so that dr= du and r= u- B/2A.

How you integrate that will depend upon whether [itex]C- B^2/4A[/itex] is positive or negative.
 
How do you deal with the r outside the square root.

When you sub in u you get

$$ ∫\frac{du}{(u-\frac{B}{2A})\sqrt{Au^2 +C-\frac{B^2}{4A}}}$$

The (u- B/2A) part throws me off how to solve this. I tried doing it by integration by parts but it just made it more complex.

I am also assuming C - B^2/4A will be positive.
 
Look up Euler's substitutions.
 
Lightf said:
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r^2\sqrt{2m(E-\frac{α-βr-γr^2}{r^2}) - \frac{M^2}{r^2}}}$$
$$θ = ∫ \frac{Mdr}{r\sqrt{2m(Er^2 - α - βr - γr^2) - M^2}}$$
Check those signs.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
994
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K