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Ch. 9 - Differential Equations
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 9, Problem 9.1.55c

52-56. In this section, several models are presented and the solution of the associated differential equation is given. Later in the chapter, we present methods for solving these differential equations.


(Use of Tech) Chemical rate equations The reaction of certain chemical compounds can be modeled using a differential equation of the form y'(t) = -kyⁿ(t), where y(t) is the concentration of the compound, for t ≥ 0, k > 0 is a constant that determines the speed of the reaction, and n is a positive integer called the order of the reaction. Assume the initial concentration of the compound is y(0) = y₀ > 0.


c. Let y₀ = 1 and k = 0.1. Graph the first-order and second-order solutions found in parts (a) and (b). Compare the two reactions. 

Verified step by step guidance
1
Recall the general differential equation for the chemical reaction: \(y'(t) = -k y^{n}(t)\), where \(k > 0\) and \(n\) is the order of the reaction.
For the first-order reaction (\(n=1\)), the differential equation becomes \(y'(t) = -k y(t)\). This is a separable differential equation.
Solve the first-order equation by separating variables: write \(\frac{dy}{dt} = -k y\), then rearrange to \(\frac{dy}{y} = -k dt\). Integrate both sides to find the solution involving an exponential decay.
For the second-order reaction (\(n=2\)), the differential equation is \(y'(t) = -k y^{2}(t)\). Again, separate variables: \(\frac{dy}{dt} = -k y^{2}\) leads to \(\frac{dy}{y^{2}} = -k dt\). Integrate both sides to find the solution, which will be a rational function in \(t\).
With initial condition \(y(0) = y_0 = 1\) and \(k = 0.1\), write explicit expressions for both solutions (first-order and second-order). Then, plot both functions on the same graph for \(t \geq 0\) to compare how the concentration decreases over time for each reaction order.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Differential Equations in Chemical Kinetics

Chemical rate equations describe how the concentration of a substance changes over time using differential equations. The general form y'(t) = -kyⁿ(t) models the rate of reaction, where y(t) is concentration, k is a positive rate constant, and n is the reaction order. Understanding this setup is essential to analyze how concentration evolves.
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Classifying Differential Equations

Order of Reaction and Its Effect

The order n in the differential equation indicates how the reaction rate depends on concentration. A first-order reaction (n=1) means the rate is proportional to y(t), leading to exponential decay. A second-order reaction (n=2) depends on the square of concentration, resulting in a different decay pattern. Comparing these helps understand reaction speed and behavior.
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Higher Order Derivatives

Solving and Graphing Differential Equations

Solving the differential equation for given initial conditions y(0) = y₀ and constants k allows us to find explicit formulas for y(t). Graphing these solutions for different orders (n=1 and n=2) visually compares how concentration changes over time, highlighting differences in reaction dynamics and decay rates.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

33–36. {Use of Tech} Computing Euler approximations Use a calculator or computer program to carry out the following steps.

c. Repeating parts (a) and (b) using half the time step used in those calculations, again find an approximation to y(T).


y′(t) = 6 - 2y, y(0) = -1; Δt = 0.2, T = 3; y(t) = 3 - 4e⁻²ᵗ

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Textbook Question

{Use of Tech} Logistic equation for an epidemic When an infected person is introduced into a closed and otherwise healthy community, the number of people who contract the disease (in the absence of any intervention) may be modeled by the logistic equation

 dP/dt=kP(1−P/A),P0=P_0, 

where K is a positive infection rate, A is the number of people in the community, and P0 is the number of infected people at t=0. The model also assumes no recovery. 


c. For a fixed value of K and A, describe the long-term behavior of the solutions, for any P0 with 0<P0<A. 

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Textbook Question

46–48. Analyzing models The following models were discussed in Section 9.1 and reappear in later sections of this chapter. In each case, carry out the indicated analysis using direction fields.


Drug infusion The delivery of a drug (such as an antibiotic) through an intravenous line may be modeled by the differential equation m′(t)+km(t)=I, where m(t) is the mass of the drug in the blood at time t≥0, K is a constant that describes the rate at which the drug is absorbed, and I is the infusion rate. Let I=10mg/hr and k=0.05 hr^−1.

c. What is the equilibrium solution?

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Textbook Question

{Use of Tech} Free fall An object in free fall may be modeled by assuming the only forces at work are the gravitational force and air resistance. By Newton’s Second Law of Motion (mass end . acceleration = the sum of external forces), the velocity of the object satisfies the differential equation 


m · v'(t) = mg + f(v)

mass | acceleration | external forces


where f is a function that models the air resistance (assuming the positive direction is downward). One common assumption (often used for motion in air) is that f(v)=−kv^2, for t≥0, where k>0 is a drag coefficient.


c. Find the solution of this separable equation assuming v(0)=0 and 0<v²<g/a. 

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Textbook Question

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.

c. The general solution of the equation yy'(x) = xe⁻ʸ can be found using integration by parts.

Textbook Question

52-56. In this section, several models are presented and the solution of the associated differential equation is given. Later in the chapter, we present methods for solving these differential equations.


{Use of Tech} Free fall One possible model that describes the free fall of an object in a gravitational field subject to air resistance uses the equation v'(t) = g - bv, where v(t) is the velocity of the object for t ≥ 0, g = 9.8 m/s² is the acceleration due to gravity, and b > 0 is a constant that involves the mass of the object and the air resistance.


c. Using the graph in part (b), estimate the terminal velocity lim(t→∞) v(t).