Doubt regarding Rutherford's Alpha Scattering Experiment and Impact Parameter

[Bloopy]

It is mentioned in my Textbook that if alpha-particle has large impact parameter, it gets scattered through small angles and vice versa.

I understand that impact parameter is defined as the perpendicular distance between the path of a projectile and the center of the nucleus.

I am unsure how the aforementioned fact is explained?

 

[jtbell]

How does the Coulomb (electric) force between the alpha-particle and nucleus vary with distance?

 

[Bloopy]

How does the Coulomb (electric) force between the alpha-particle and nucleus vary with distance?

It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

 

[jtbell]

So if the impact parameter becomes larger, what happens to the force?

 

[Bloopy]

So if the impact parameter becomes larger, what happens to the force?

Force reduces drastically. Hence the scattering occurs through small angle. Understood.