Applications of differential equations of first order
We shall consider some applications to
1. Simple electric circuits
2. Growth and decay
3. Newtons law of cooling
4. Chemical reactions and solutions
1. Find the current in an electric circuit containing a resistance R = 100 ohms,
inductance L = 0.1 henry with a source E = 10 sint volts given that initially the
circuit carries no current .
Fig.
Let i(t) be the current at time t.
di
Ri L E
dt
di
o.1 100i 10 sin t
dt
di
100i 100 sin t
dt
IF e
100dt
e1000t
i(e1000t ) 100 sin te1000t dt k
Given i(0) = 0
0
100
100 K
1 (1000) 2
10000
0
1 (1000) 2
2
i
100
1000 sin t cos t 2 1000 2 e 1000t
(100) (1000)
2 2
1 (1000)
2. In a certain culture of bacteria, the rate at which the bacteria grows is
proportional to the instantaneous number present. If the original number doubles in
one hour. In how many hours it will triple?
Let N(t) be the number at time
dN
N
dt
dN
or kN
dt
dN
kdt
N
logN = kt + log C
N cekt ...(1)
Let N0 be the original number i.e., N(0) = N0
N0 = C
N No ekt
Given N = 2N0 when t = 1
N0ek = 2N0
ek 2
k = loge2
2
N N0 e(log e ) t No 2 t
We have N = N0 2t
When N 3No 3No No 2t
3 2t
log3 + log 2
log 3
or t log2 3 1.6
log 2
3. Radium decomposes at a rate the quantity of radium present suppose it is found
that in 25 years 1.1% of a certain quantity of radium has decomposed. Determine
approximately how long will it take to decompose one-half of the original amount of
radium to decompose.
Let m be amount of radioactive material present at time t.
Let m0 be the original amount t = 0
dm
Now km
dt
dm
kdt
m
log m kt log C
or m Ce kt
Given m(0) m o m o Ce o C
m m o e kt ...(1)
Now 1.1% of original mass decays in 25 years
Amount present after 25 years
1.1
1 mo mo e 25 k
100
1.1
ln 1 25 k
100
1 1.1
or l ln 1 0.000443
25 100
m m o e 0.000443 t
To find the time taken for half the material to disintegrate
1
m o m o e 0.000443 t
2
1
ln 0.000443 t
2
ln 2
or t 1564 .66 1565 years
0.000443
4. When sugar is dissolved in water, the amount A that remains undissolved after t
dA
minutes satisfy the differential equation kA, k is a +ve constant. If 25% of
dt
the sugar dissolves after 1 min. How long does it take for half of the sugar to
dissolve?
A be amount of sugar that remains undissolved after time t.
dA
kA
dt
dA
kdt
A
dA
A
k dt
ln A kt ln C
A Ce kt ...(1)
Let A0 be the original amount A(0) = A0
A0 = C
Now after 1 min
0.7 A0 = A0 e-k
0.75 = e-k
ln 0.75 = -k
k = 0ln 0.75
Now to find the time taken to dissolve 50% of sugar
Ao
A o e kt
2
1
(0.75) t
2
t ln(0.75) log 2
log 2
t 2.41 min
ln 0.75
5. Newtons law of cooling states that the temperature of the body changes at a rate
proportional to the difference in temperature of the surrounding medium and
temperature of the body.
Let T be the temperature of the body at time t
To be the temperature of the surroundings
dT
(T To )
dt
dT
k (T To )
dt
dT
kdt
T To
ln( T To ) kt ln C
T To Ce kt
A body originally at 80o C cools to 60o in 20 min in the surroundings of temperature
40o. Find the temperature of the body after 40 minutes from original.
We have 80 – 40 = Ce-k(0)
80 – 40 = C
40 = C
T 40 40 e kt
Body cools down to 60o in 20 min
60 – 40 = 40e-20k
20 = 40e-20k
1
e 20k
2
When t = 40
T 40 40e 40k
2
1
T 40 40 50
2
6. The equation of a motion of a body falling in resisting medium is
d2 x
m mg kv 2 , x(0) 0, v(0) 0
dt 2
m is mass of the body, x is the displacement
v is the velocity
g is accln due to gravity
ekx a2
k is a constant. Prove that log where mg = ka2
m 2 2
a v
Obtain the relation between x and v.
dx d2 x dv dv dx dv
Let v . v
dt dt 2 dt dx dt dx
dv
mv mg kv 2
dx
Let mg = ka2
dv
mv k(a2 v 2 )
dx
v k
a2 v 2 dv m dx C
1 k
log(a2 v 2 ) xC
2 m
Initially when x = 0, v = 0
1
log a2 C
2
1 1 k
log a2 log(a2 v 2 ) x
2 2 m
2k a2
or x log
m a2 v 2
a2
or e 2kx / m
a2 v 2
a2 v 2
e 2kx / m
2
a
a2 v 2 a2 e 2kx / m
v 2 a2 1 e 2kx / m
v 2 mg 1 e 2kx / m
v
mg 1 e 2kx / m
1/2
7) Uranium disintegrates at a rate proportional to the amount then present at any
instant. If M1 and M2 grams of uranium are present at times T 1 and T2 respectively.
Find the half life of uranium.
Let m(t) be the amount of uranium present at time t
dm
m
dt
dm
km
dt
ln m = -kt + C
Now lnM1 = - kT1 + C
ln M2 = -kT2 + C
K(T2 – T1) = ln M1 – lnM2
M1
K(T2 T1 ) ln
M2
ln(M1 / M2 )
K
T2 T1
Let T be the half life then
M1
2, T2 T1 T
M2
log 2
k
T
log 2
T
K
T2 T1
or T log 2
log(M1 / M2 )