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Differential equations

Practice section 4 of 6

Questions 19–24 in this collection

Practice questions

Discussion practice · 4 of 6

Solve and assess an exponential rod-expansion model

When a metal rod is heated, its length LL increases at a rate proportional to LL.

(i) Write a differential equation for dL/dtdL/dt in terms of LL.

(ii) Show that its general solution is L=AektL=Ae^{kt}.

(iii) The initial length is 5050 cm. Sketch LL against tt.

(iv) Explain why this differential equation does not appropriately describe the expansion of the heated rod.

[2006/RJC/Promo/11]

CJC · Discussion · Question 7

Solution

Discussion practice · 5 of 6

Model warming towards room temperature

A bottle of liquid is removed from a refrigerator into a room at constant 20∘20^\circC. Its temperature θ\theta degrees Celsius after tt minutes increases at a rate proportional to (20−θ)(20-\theta). Initially θ=10\theta=10 and dθ/dt=1d\theta/dt=1 degree Celsius per minute. Set up and solve a differential equation to show that θ=20−10e−t/10\theta=20-10e^{-t/10}. Find the time to reach 15∘15^\circC, state the large-tt behaviour, and sketch θ\theta against tt.

[N2010/I/7]

CJC · Discussion · Question 8

Solution

Discussion practice · 6 of 6

Model reservoir inflow and quadratic outflow

During rainfall, a reservoir contains xx million cubic metres at time tt hours. Inflow is constant at kk million cubic metres per hour, and outflow is proportional to x2x^2.

(i) Given that the water amount stabilises at 0.50.5 million cubic metres, show that dx/dt=k(1−4x2)dx/dt=k(1-4x^2).

(ii) Find xx in terms of k,tk,t if initially there is 11 million cubic metre.

[2017/MJC/II/2 (modified)]

CJC · Discussion · Question 9

Solution

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