Differential Equations

1
Applications of First Order Differential Equations

Module 4: Applications of First Order

Differential Equations

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognize and solve first-order ordinary differential equations.
2. Solve differential equations using variation of parameters.
3. Solve a variety of equations in different applications such as Growth and
decay, Newton’s Law of Cooling, and simple Electrical Circuits.

Growth and Decay

Let N(t) denote the amount of substance (or population) that is either growing or
𝑑𝑁
decaying. If we assume that , the time rate of change of this amount of substance, is
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑁
proportional to the amount of substance present, then = 𝑘𝑁 or
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑁
− 𝑘𝑁 = 0
𝑑𝑡
Where k is the constant proportionality.

We are assuming that N(t) is a differentiable, hence continuous, function of time. For
population problems where N(t) is actually discrete and integer-valued, this
assumption is incorrect. Nonetheless, still provides a good approximation to the
physical laws governing such a system.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
If the population of a country doubles in 50 years, in how many years will it
treble under the assumption that the rate of increase is proportional to the number of
inhabitants?

Solution:
Let y denote the population at time t years and y0 the population at t=0. Then
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑘𝑦 𝑜𝑟 = 𝑘𝑑𝑡 (1)
𝑑𝑡 𝑦
Where k is the proportionality factor.

Course Module
 Integrating (1) we have
2𝑙𝑛𝑦 = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑙𝑛𝑐 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑡 (2)
At time t=0, y=𝑦0 , and from (2), c=𝑦0 . Thus
𝑦 = 𝑦0 𝑒 𝑘𝑡 (3)
At t=50, y=2𝑦0 , from (3),
2𝑦0 =𝑦0 𝑒 30𝑘 𝑜𝑟 𝑒 30𝑘 = 2.
When y=3𝑦0 , (3) gives
3=𝑒 𝑘𝑡
Then
330 = 𝑒 30𝑘𝑡 = 2𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒕 = 𝟕𝟗 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔.

Newton’s Law of Cooling

Newton’s law of cooling states that:
The time rate of change of the temperature of a body is proportional to the temperature
difference between the body and its surrounding medium. Let T denote temperature of
the body and let Tm denote the temperature of the surrounding medium. Then the time
𝑑𝑇
rate of change of the temperature of the body is 𝑑𝑡 = −𝑘(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑚 ), or as
𝒅𝑻
+ 𝒌𝑻 = 𝒌𝑻𝒎
𝒅𝒕
Where k is a positive constant of proportionality. Once k is chosen positive, the minus
𝑑𝑇
sign required in Newton’s Law to make 𝑑𝑡 negative in a cooling process. Note that in
such a process, T is greater than Tm; thus T-Tm is positive.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
A metal bar at a temperature of 100°F is placed in a room at a constant temperature of
0°F. If after 20 minutes the temperature of the bar is 50°F, find (a) the time it will take
the bar to reach a temperature of 25°F and (b) the temperature of the bar after 10
minutes.

Solution:
Given Tm=0: the medium here is the room which is being held at a constant temperature
𝑑𝑇
of 0F. Thus we have 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑘𝑇 = 0, a linear equation whose solution is

𝑇 = 𝑐𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 (1)
Since T=100 at t=0 (the temperature of the bar is initially 100 ° F), it follows from (1) that
100= 𝑐𝑒 −𝑘(0) or 100=c. Substituting this value into (1), we obtain
 Differential Equations
3
Applications of First Order Differential Equations

𝑇 = 100𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 (2)

At t=0, we are given that T=50; hence from (2),
1 50
𝑇 = 100𝑒 −20𝑡 from which 𝑘 = − 20 ln (100) = 0.035

Substituting this value into (2), we obtain the temperature of the bar at any time t as
𝑇 = 100𝑒 −0,035 (3)

(a) We require t when T=25. Substituting T=25 into (3) we have

25 = 100𝑒 −0.035𝑡

Solving we find that

t=39.6 min

(b) When we require T when t=10. Substituting t=10 into (3) and then solving for T, we
find that

𝑇 = 100𝑒 −0.035(10) = 100(0.705) = 𝟕𝟎. 𝟓°𝑭

It should be noted that since Newton’s law is valid only for small temperature
differences, the above calculations represent only a first approximation to the
physical situation.

Electrical Circuits

The application of first-order differential equations may arise in the modelling of

electrical circuits.
In figure 4.1 below, the differential equation for the RL circuit of the figure below was
shown to be:
𝑑𝑖
𝐿 + 𝑅𝑖 = 𝐸
𝑑𝑡
In which the initial condition is i=0, t=0.

Figure 4.1.

Course Module
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
The current i in an electric circuit containing resistance R and inductance L in
series with a constant voltage source E is given by the differential equation
𝑑𝑖
𝐸 − 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑅𝑖.
Solve the equation and find i in terms of time t given when t=0, i=0.

Solution:
In the R − L series circuit shown in Figure 4.1, the supply potential difference, E, is given
by:
𝐸 = 𝑉𝑅 + 𝑉𝐿
𝑑𝑖
𝑉𝑅 = 𝑖𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉𝐿 = 𝐿 𝑑𝑡
Hence,
𝑑𝑖
𝐸 = 𝑖𝑅 + 𝐿
𝑑𝑡
From which,
𝑑𝑖
𝐸−𝐿 = 𝑅𝑖
𝑑𝑡
Most electrical circuits can be reduced to a differential equation.
𝑑𝑖
Rearranging 𝐸 − 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑅𝑖 gives
𝑑𝑖 𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖
=
𝑑𝑡 𝐿
Separating the variables gives
𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑡
=
𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 𝐿
Integrating both sides gives
𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑡
∫ =∫
𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 𝐿
Hence, the general solution is
𝟏 𝒕
− 𝐥𝐧(𝑬 − 𝑹𝒊) = + 𝒄
𝑹 𝑳
*by making a substitution u = E – Ri
When i=0, t=0, thus
1
− 𝑙𝑛𝐸 = 𝑐
𝑅
Thus, the particular solution is:
𝟏 𝒕 𝟏
− 𝐥𝐧(𝑬 − 𝑹𝒊) = − 𝒍𝒏𝑬
𝑹 𝑳 𝑹
Transposing gives:
 Differential Equations
5
Applications of First Order Differential Equations

1 1 𝑡
− ln(𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 ) + 𝑙𝑛𝐸 =
𝑅 𝑅 𝐿
1 𝑡
[𝑙𝑛𝐸 − ln(𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖)] =
𝑅 𝐿
𝐸 𝑅𝑡
ln ( )=
𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 𝐿
From which
𝐸 𝑅𝑡
=𝑒𝐿
𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖
Hence,
𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 −𝑅𝑡 −𝑅𝑡 −𝑅𝑡
= 𝑒 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸 − 𝑅𝑖 = 𝐸𝑒 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑖 = 𝐸 − 𝐸𝑒 𝐿
𝐸
Hence, current
𝑬 −𝑹𝒕
𝒊= (𝟏 − 𝒆 𝑳 )
𝑹
which represents the law of growth of current in an inductive circuit.

Course Module
References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals

1. John Bird; 2017; Higher Engineering Mathematics; 2 Park Square, Milton Park,
Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN; Routledge

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. Applications of First Order Differential Equations;
https://www.analyzemath.com/calculus/Differential_Equations/applications.html;
October 4, 2019

Online Instructional Videos

1. Growth Models; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-calculus-bc/bc-
differential-equations-new/bc-7-9/v/modeling-population-with-differential-
equations; October 4, 2019