Engineering Mathematics 3

APPLICATION OF FIRST ORDER DIFFERENTIAL

EQUATIONS
Newtonian Law of Cooling

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Question 1.5.1
o o
Suppose that a container of water of 100 C is placed in a room of 30 C .
o
After 5 min, the water temperature is 90 C .
Find
(i) temperature equation of water as a function of time t.
o
(ii) time when the water temperature raches 50 C .
(iii) temperature when time is 30 min.
(iv) steady state temperature.
(v) transient temperature.

Method 1

Step 1 Given the following data

Let T denote the temperature of water as a function of time t.
Tr denote the room (ambient) temperature.

T( 0) = 100 ;in degree celsius

T( 5) = 90 ;in degree celsius

Tr = 30 ;in degree celsius

Step 2 Use newtonian law of cooling to model the temperature

dT
∝ T − Tr
dt
dT
dt
(
= α ⋅ T − Tr ) ;α is proportionality constant
;fode models the law of cooling

Step 3 To solve by converting fode to sde

dT
= α ⋅ dt ;integrate
T − Tr

⌠ ⌠
 1 
 dT = α dt
T − Tr 
⌡

⌡

( )
ln T − Tr = α ⋅ t + K ;K is integration constand

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 Engineering Mathematics 3

α ⋅ t+ K
T − Tr = e ;apply antilog

α ⋅t K
T = Tr + e ⋅e ;k is another constant

α ⋅t
T = Tr + k⋅ e ;solution without considering the IC and BC

Step 4 Apply IC and BC to find k and α

Apply IC T(0) = 100
Solution becomes
0
100 = 30 + k⋅ e
k = 70
Rewrite solution
α ⋅t
T = 30 + 70⋅ e
Apply BC T(5) = 90
Solution becomes

α⋅5 1 6
90 = 30 + 70⋅ e solve , α → ⋅ ln 
5 7
Hence the solution is ;Working

1 6
− 0.03083⋅ t ⋅ ln  = − 0.03083
T = 30 + 70⋅ e 5 7

;temperature equation of water

;ans(i)

Step 5 Other calculations

To find t when T = 50

− 0.03083⋅ t
50 = 30 + 70⋅ e
t = 40.6 ;in min
;ans (ii)

To find T when t = 30 min

T = 57.8 ;in degree celsius

;ans (iii)

To find steady state temperature:

When t approaches infinity, T approaches the steady-state temperature 30 degree celsius.

;ans(iv)
To find the transient temperature:

− 0.03083⋅ t
70⋅ e
;ans(v)

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 Engineering Mathematics 3

Method 2

Step 1 Given the following data

Let T denote the temperature of water as a function of time t.
Tr denote the room (ambient) temperature.

T( 0) = 100 ;in degree celsius

T( 5) = 90 ;in degree celsius

Tr = 30 ;in degree celsius

Step 2 Use newtonian law of cooling to model the temperature

dT
∝ T − Tr
dt
dT
dt
(
= α ⋅ T − Tr ) ;α is proportionality constant
;fode models the law of cooling

Step 3 To solve by converting fode to linear de

dT
= α ⋅ dt ;integrate
T − Tr

dT
dt
(
= α ⋅ T − Tr )
dT
= α ⋅ T − α ⋅ Tr
dt
dT
− α ⋅ T = − α ⋅ Tr standard linear de: T' + pT = q
dt

where

p = −α q = − α ⋅ Tr

Its solution formula is

⌠

T⋅ I =  q⋅ I dt
⌡

where I is the integrating factor

⌠

I = exp  p dt
⌡ 
 

⌠ 
I = exp  − α dt = exp( − α ⋅ t)
⌡ 
 

Rewrite solution formula

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 Engineering Mathematics 3

⌠
T⋅ exp( − α ⋅ t) =  −α ⋅ Tr⋅ exp( − α ⋅ t) dt

⌡
T⋅ exp( − α ⋅ t) = exp( − α ⋅ t) ⋅ Tr + K ;where K is a constant

∆ T = Tr + K⋅ exp( −α ⋅ t) ;solution without considering the IC and BC

Step 4 Apply IC and BC to find k and α

Apply IC T(0) = 100

Solution becomes

100 = 30 + k⋅ exp( 0 ) ;note: exp(0) = 0

k = 70
Rewrite solution

∆1 T = 30 + 70⋅ exp( −α ⋅ t)

Apply BC T(5) = 90

Solution becomes

⋅ ln
1 6
90 = 30 + 70⋅ exp( 5 ⋅ α ) solve , α →  I use mathcad here to solve for α.
5 7
;Working
Hence the solution is

⋅ ln
1 6
∆2 T = 30 + 70⋅ exp( − 0.03083⋅ t)  = − 0.03083
5 7
;temperature equation of water
;ans(i)

Step 5 Other calculations

To find t when T = 50

50 = 30 + 70⋅ exp( − 0.03083⋅ t)

t = 40.6 ;in min

;ans (ii)

To find T when t = 30 min

T = 57.8 ;in degree celsius

;ans (iii)

To find steady state temperature Tss:

When t approaches infinity, T approaches the steady-state temperature 30 degree celsius.

;ans(iv)
To find the transient temperature:

Tt = 70⋅ exp( − 0.03083⋅ t)

;ans(v)

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