Module 2: First Order Ordinary
Differential Equations
Radioactive Decay of a Substance 4 Predicting decay over
time
Overview: derive the decay model, solve the ODE, interpret half-life,
apply to Carbon014 dating and real-world cases. Visual intuition +
worked example for clarity.
What Are First0Order Ordinary
Differential Equations (ODEs)?
Definition
An ODE that involves the first derivative of an unknown function
with respect to one independent variable (typically time).
General form
dN/dt = f(t, N): models instantaneous rate of change based on time
and the current state.
Why first order?
Many natural processes 4 growth, decay, mixing 4 depend only on
the current amount, making first0order models ideal.
Radioactive Decay: The Physical
Phenomenon
Radioactive nuclei
spontaneously transform,
emitting particles and energy.
Random but predictable
Each nucleus has a fixed
probability per unit time to Individual decays are random;
decay. populations follow precise
statistical laws.
Key observation: the larger the
remaining sample, the greater
the number of decays per unit
time 4 the decay rate scales
with current amount. Proportional rate
Decay rate ? current quantity
4 the core assumption for our
ODE model.
The Differential Equation Model
The idealized model assumes the instantaneous decay rate is
proportional to the current amount N(t):
dN/dt = -a N(t), with a > 0 (decay constant).
Interpretation: a is the probability per unit time that a single nucleus
decays; the negative sign indicates decrease.
Solving the Decay Equation
01 02
Separate variables Integrate both sides
Rewrite as (1/N) dN = -a dt. +(1/N) dN = +-a dt ³ ln|N| = -a t + C.
03
Solve for N(t)
Exponentiate and apply initial condition N(0)=N0 to get N(t)=N0 e^{-a
t}.
Understanding Half0Life
Half0life Ç is the time required for N(t) to drop to N0/2. Using N(t)=N0
e^{-a t}:
N(Ç)=N0/2 ó e^{-a Ç}=1/2 ó Ç = (ln 2)/a.
Ç is intrinsic to the isotope and independent of the initial amount 4 a
convenient practical constant.
Predicting Age with Carbon014 (Worked Example)
Carbon014 half0life Ç = 5730 years. If a sample has 14% of original C014,
estimate age using:
N(t)=N0 2^{-t/Ç} ó t = Ç log2(N0/N(t))
Compute: t = 5730 × log2(100/14) j 5730 × 2.836 j j 16,253 years.
Interpretation: material lived ~16.3k years ago.
Visualizing Radioactive Decay
N0/8
N0/4
N0/2
N0
The curve shows rapid early decline in fraction terms, with equal time intervals Ç halving the remaining amount each time.
Useful for intuition and communicating decay speed.
Real0World Applications
Archaeology Medicine Energy & Safety
Carbon dating Radioactive tracers Fuel management
estimates ages of follow biological and waste handling
organic artifacts by processes; decay use decay models to
measuring remaining rates determine predict radioactivity
isotopes and applying imaging timing and over time and plan
the decay model. dosage safety. shielding/ storage.
Summary & Next Steps
Core idea Half0life
Radioactive decay is Ç = ln 2 / a 4 practical,
modeled by dN/dt = -aN with isotope0specific,
solution N(t)=N0 e^{-a t}. independent of N0.
Applications
Used in dating, diagnostics, energy, and environmental
monitoring.
Suggested exercises: derive N(t) via integrating factor, compute ages
for different remaining fractions, and analyze sensitivity to decay
constant a.