CHME 7350

Problem Set 1
Due: Tuesday, September 17, in class.

Reading: Deen Chapters 1-2

Differential Equations

5. Derive the error function. Consider the equation

𝑑2𝑦 𝑑𝑦
+ 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 0 (1)
𝑑𝑥 2

First, define a new variable:

𝑑𝑦
𝑧= (2)
𝑑𝑥

in order to convert (1) into a separable differential equation. Then, integrate to

solve for z, then, integrate (2) to solve for y. Check your work…

6. Use the integrating factor approach to solve:

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1
𝑑𝑥
 Vectors & Tensors

7. Deen problem 1.8

8. Label each of the following as “vector,” “scalar” or “nonsense.”

(a) ∇ ∙ (∇𝑓) (d) ∇(∇ ∙ 𝐅)

(b) ∇ ∙ (∇ ∙F) (e) ∇ ∙ (∇F)
(c) ∇ (∇ ∙f)

9. Calculate (∇ ∙ 𝐯), where h, vmax, P, and μ are constants.

𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
(a) 𝐯 = ŷ
𝒆𝒙
ℎ

𝑦 2 −ℎ2
(b) 𝐯 = −P( )̂
𝒆𝒙
4𝜇

(c) 𝐯 = y ̂
𝒆𝒙 + 𝑥 ̂
𝒆𝒚

(d) 𝐯 = (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) ̂
𝒆𝒙 + (𝑥 + 𝑦) ̂
𝒆𝒚

Diffusion Problems using Fick’s Law

10. Briefly explain the concept of a constitutive equation. What are the fluxes and
driving forces in Fick’s law and in Fourier’s Law?

11. Consider the purification of hydrogen gas by diffusion through a palladium sheet.
Compute the number of kilograms of hydrogen that pass per hour through a 6-mm
thick sheet of palladium having an area of 0.25 m2 at 600°C. Assume a diffusion
coefficient of 1.7 × 10–8 m2/s, that the respective concentrations at the high- and low-
pressure sides of the plate are 2.0 and 0.4 kg of hydrogen per cubic meter of
palladium, and that steady-state conditions have been attained.

12. A metal sheet 7.5 mm thick with an area of 0.5 m2 has a temperature gradient
applied across it, with the temperature on one side of the sheet fixed at 150 0C and
the other at 50 0C. After a time, steady-state heat conduction is achieved.

(a) Plot and calculate the temperature gradient at steady state

(b) Add an arrow to your plot to indicate the direction of heat flow
(c) Calculate the heat loss through the sheet per hour if the sheet is made of
aluminum (k=247 W/mK) and if the sheet is made of copper (k=398 W/mK).
(d) Imagine that the boundary conditions on the temperature are removed.
What will eventually happen to the temperature gradient through the metal
sheet? Draw your answer on top of your plot from (a).