Elementary Applications of FirstOrder, First Degree

Ordinary Differential Equations

Newtons Law of Cooling

Newtons Law of Cooling states that the rate of change of the temperature of the body is
proportional to the temperature difference between the body and its surrounding medium.

( )

= ( )


where
= time rate of change of the temperature of the body

T = variable temperature of the body

Ts = constant temperature of the surrounding medium
k = constant of proportionality
t = time

Examples:

1. A body with a temperature of 95C is immersed in a liquid that is kept at a constant

temperature of 20C. After 5 minutes, the temperature of the body decreased to 60C.
a. Express the temperature of the body at any time t.
b. What will be the temperature of the body after 7 minutes?
c. Find the time it will take for the temperature of the body to decrease to 35C.

2. A thermometer reading 18F is brought into a room where the temperature is 70F, 1 min
later, the thermometer reading is 31F.
a. Determine the temperature reading as a function of time.
b. Find the temperature reading 5 mins after the temperature is first brought into the
room.

3. At 9 A.M., a thermometer reading 70F is taken outdoors where the temperature is 15F
at 9:05 A.M., the thermometer reading is 45F. At 9:10 A.M., the thermometer is taken
back indoors where the temperature is fixed at 70F.
a. Find the reading at 9:20 AM
b. When will the reading, to the nearest degree, return back to its indoor temperature
(70F)?