Problem 18
Question
(a) The initial temperature of the bath is \(T_{m}(0)=60^{\circ},\) so in the short term the temperature of the chemical, which starts at \(80^{\circ},\) should decrease or cool. Over time, the temperature of the bath will increase toward \(100^{\circ}\) since \(e^{-0.1 t}\) decreases from 1 toward 0 as \(t\) increases from \(0 .\) Thus, in the long term, the temperature of the chemical should increase or warm toward \(100^{\circ}\). (b) Adapting the model for Newton's law of cooling, we have $$\frac{d T}{d t}=-0.1\left(T-100+40 e^{-0.1 t}\right), \quad T(0)=80$$. Writing the differential equation in the form $$\frac{d T}{d t}+0.1 T=10-4 e^{-0.1 t}$$ we see that it is linear with integrating factor \(e^{\int 0.1 d t}=e^{0.1 t}\) Thus $$\begin{aligned} \frac{d}{d t}\left[e^{0.1 t} T\right] &=10 e^{0.1 t}-4 \\ e^{0.1 t} T &=100 e^{0.1 t}-4 t+c \end{aligned}$$ and $$T(t)=100-4 t e^{-0.1 t}+c e^{-0.1 t}$$ Now \(T(0)=80\) so \(100+c=80, c=-20\) and $$T(t)=100-4 t e^{-0.1 t}-20 e^{-0.1 t}=100-(4 t+20) e^{-0.1 t}$$ The thinner curve verifies the prediction of cooling followed by warming toward \(100^{\circ} .\) The wider curve shows the temperature \(T_{m}\) of the liquid bath.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedKey Concepts
Differential Equations
In everyday terms, a differential equation lets us predict how quantities change continuously over time or space. In our example, the differential equation describes how the temperature of the chemical changes over time as it interacts with the temperature of the surrounding bath. This allows us to model the cooling and eventual warming behavior of the chemical.
Differential equations can be complex, but understanding their purpose is straightforward: they're essentially rules describing how something changes.
Initial Value Problem
Initial values act like guideposts, ensuring that the solution to a differential equation precisely fits the starting circumstances of a problem. Without these values, it is often difficult to find a single, exact solution as many different curves could satisfy the equation at different points.
By specifying an initial condition, we tighten down one particular solution path amidst the multitude of possible trajectories, guiding us to the correct outcome for our specific problem.
Integrating Factor
In our example, the integrating factor is found by computing \(e^{\int 0.1 \, dt} = e^{0.1 t}\). Once this factor is determined, it is multiplied throughout the differential equation. This manipulation results in simplification, creating an equation that can be easily integrated.
The beauty of the integrating factor lies in how it transforms a complex equation into a straightforward one, letting us find the solution with greater ease. It's like finding a clever shortcut through a maze.
Linear First-Order Differential Equation
In the given exercise, the equation \(\frac{d T}{d t} + 0.1 T = 10 - 4 e^{-0.1 t}\) is a typical form of a linear first-order differential equation. You can spot these by noticing the presence of the derivative of the unknown function plus some other function multiplied by the unknown function itself.
The approach used for solving these equations generally involves finding an integrating factor, as we've discussed. Once the equation is in this linear form, solving it becomes methodical, following a predictable set of steps. This reliability makes them often one of the first differential equations students learn to solve.