Applications of first-order differential equations

Growth/decay problems:

e.g., population growth, nuclear decay, chemical reactions…

The time rate of change of the amount of substance (dN/dt)

is proportional to the amount of substance present (N), i.e.,:

𝑑𝑁 (growth)
= 𝑘𝑁
𝑑𝑡
k>0
𝑑𝑁
= −𝑘𝑁 (decay)
𝑑𝑡
ODE is seperable.
Note: We assume that N(t) is a continous function although N(t) is integer-valued. But it still
provides a good approximation for the system.
Nuclear decay :

N(t)
N0 Exponential
decay

t
Population growth:
N(t)
𝑑𝑁
= 𝑘𝑁 𝑁(0) = 𝑁0
𝑑𝑡 exponential
growth
N0
Solution: 𝑁 𝑡 = 𝑁0 𝑒 𝑘𝑡 t

However, for sufficiently long time periods, exponetial growth is not realistic.
A more realistic equation (logistic equation):

𝑑𝑁 (k>0,  > 0)
= 𝑘𝑁 − 𝜆𝑁 2 <<k
𝑑𝑡

The term N2 limits the ultimate growth of the population (due to insufficient living
space, insufficient food, etc.)

Above ODE is both seperable and Bernoulli D.E.

EX:

Sol:

=>

Then,
EX:

Sol:
a)

D.E. is seperable:
Apply I.C.:
b) Let t=2000, then,

c) We need to find ( )

Since

we have the limiting population of 1,000,000.

Newton’s law of cooling:

The time rate change of the temperature of a body is proportional to the temperature
difference between the body and its surrounding medium:

𝑑𝑇 Medium (Tm=const)
= −𝑘(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑚 ) (k>0)
𝑑𝑡 (T>Tm) Body (T)

Re-arranging the terms:

𝑑𝑇 -seperable ODE
+ 𝑘𝑇 = 𝑘𝑇𝑚
𝑑𝑡 -linaer ODE

Note: for heating process (Tm>T), then no (-) sign in front of k.

EX:

Sol:
a) Using Newton law of cooling:

I.C.

Also

DE is seperable:
Since x > 40, we have

Apply IC:

=>
Also,

=>
b) For X=50° F

=>

min
 Mixture problems:

IN
𝑑𝑋
= 𝐼𝑁 − 𝑂𝑈𝑇
𝑑𝑡
use conservation of mass (e.g. salt)
well–stirred
mixture within the tank at any time
e.g. brine

X(t)

OUT

X(t): amount of substance, e.g. salt

X(t=0)=Xo (initial amount of the substance)
EX:

Sol:

Since the amount of fluid in the tank increase at a rate of 3/2 liter/min, and 500 liter tank
originally had 300 liters in it, then for the remaining 200 liters, t=200/(3/2)=400/3 min.
 After time «t», concentration in the tank is

Then, the amount of chemical leaving the tank:

Set up the differential equation:

and

DE is linear. We write in standard from as

Apply IF to the equation:

or

Integration gives:
Apply I.C.
Motion under drag forces:
Object moving inside fluids experience a drag force (D)
proportional to the velocity. D=kv

𝐅𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝐚 m v(t)
𝑑𝑣
𝑚𝑔 − 𝑘𝑣 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚
𝑑𝑡
mg

𝑑𝑣 𝑘
+ 𝑣=𝑔 (linear ODE)
𝑑𝑡 𝑚 k: drag coefficient
which depends on
the shape and
𝑣(0) = 𝑣0 (initial velocity) surface of the
moving object, as
well as the density
of the surrounding
medium.