MAT 052: Differential Equations

Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

Lesson 11: Mixing (Non reacting Fluids), Electric Circuits
Lesson Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, you can:
1. Solve a problem in RL circuits applying a first ordered linear
differential equation
2. Solve a mixing problem applying a first ordered linear
differential equation
Materials: Ballpoint and notebook
References:
https://www.intmath.com/differential-equations/5-
rl-circuits.php
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/scie
nce-electronics/analyze-a-parallel-rl-circuit-using-
a-differential-equation/
http://www.cfm.brown.edu/people/dobrush/am33/
Mathematica/ch2/RC.html
http://www.math.ubc.ca/~israel/m215/mixing/
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/de/modelin
g.aspx

Productivity Tip:
Stay curious.
The more curious you are about the world, the greater the stamina of your concentration will be
when it comes to any endeavor. Charles Darwin was a master of this concept. He could discover
more and more about a single object by homing in on various details, examining it in different
ways, asking new questions. This is what the genius does, in whose hands a given topic
coruscates and grows.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (5 mins)
We now move into two of the main applications of differential equations.
This lesson is not intended to completely teach you how to go about modeling all physical
situations. A whole course could be devoted to the subject of modeling and still not cover everything!
Also in here is a section designed to introduce you to the process of modeling and show you what is
involved in modeling. We will look at two different situations in this section: Mixing Problems and RL
electrical circuits.
So, let’s have a quick start.

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (3 mins)

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. What is the classification or

form of differential equation
that can be used in solving
mixing problems or RL
electrical circuits?
2. What is the formula for finding
the concentration of a
substance in a given volume
of liquid?

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

B. MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes (60 mins)

Series RL Circuit: An Application of First Ordered Linear Differential Equations

A first-order RL parallel circuit has one resistor (or network of resistors) and a single inductor.
First-order circuits can be analyzed using first-order differential equations. By analyzing a first-order circuit,
you can understand its timing and delays.
The RL circuit shown below has a resistor and an inductor connected in series. A constant
voltage V is applied when the switch is closed.

The (variable) voltage across the resistor is given by: 𝑽𝑽𝒓𝒓 = 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
The (variable) voltage across the inductor is given by: 𝑽𝑽𝑳𝑳 = 𝑳𝑳
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅

Kirchhoff's voltage law says that the directed sum of the voltages around a circuit must be zero. This
results in the following differential equation:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝐸𝐸 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 + 𝐿𝐿
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Where: 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 (𝑉𝑉)
𝑅𝑅 = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑂𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 (Ω)
𝑖𝑖 = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝐴𝐴)
𝐿𝐿 = 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑦𝑦 ′ 𝑠𝑠(𝐻𝐻)

Once the switch is closed, the current in the circuit is not constant. Instead, it will build up from zero to
some steady state.

SOLVING THE DE FOR A SERIES RL CIRCUIT

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
The solution of the differential equation 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 + 𝐿𝐿 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 is

𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅
𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 � 𝑡𝑡�
𝑅𝑅
Proof: Let us begin with:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 + 𝐿𝐿 = 𝐸𝐸
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

Subtracting Ri from both sides:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝐿𝐿 = 𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Multiply both sides by dt and then divide both sides by (𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅), we have
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
=
𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿

Integrate (use Basic Logarithm Form)

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
� =�
𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿
ln(𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅) 1
− = 𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶
𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿

Now, with 𝑖𝑖 = 0 when 𝑡𝑡 = 0, we have:

ln 𝐸𝐸
𝐾𝐾 = −
𝑅𝑅

Substituting K back into our expression, we see that it becomes

ln(𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅) 1 ln 𝐸𝐸
− = 𝑡𝑡 −
𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿 𝑅𝑅

Rearranging the terms, we then have this:

ln 𝐸𝐸 ln(𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅) 1
− = 𝑡𝑡
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿

And we continue some simplifications and that

𝑅𝑅
− ln 𝐸𝐸 + ln(𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅) = − 𝑡𝑡
𝐿𝐿

Applying the property of sum of logarithm

𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � = − 𝑡𝑡
𝐸𝐸 𝐿𝐿

And taking the inverse function of log, the exponential function “e” to both sides of the equation, we
have
𝐸𝐸−𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � 𝐸𝐸 � − � 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡
𝑒𝑒 = 𝑒𝑒
𝐸𝐸 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
− � �𝑡𝑡
= 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
𝐸𝐸

Or
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
− � �𝑡𝑡
1− 𝑖𝑖 = 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
𝐸𝐸
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
− � �𝑡𝑡
− 𝑖𝑖 = −1 + 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
𝐸𝐸

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:
𝐸𝐸
Multiplying both sides by − � �:
𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅
𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 �
𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
And now, we can visualize the function solution 𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 � of the ODE 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 + 𝐿𝐿 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 in the
𝑅𝑅
graph as follows:

𝐸𝐸
𝑅𝑅

𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅
Graph of 𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 �
𝑅𝑅
The plot shows the transition period during which the current adjusts from its initial value of zero to the
final value, which is the steady state.

THE TIME CONSTANT

𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
The time constant (TC), known as “tau” 𝜏𝜏, of the function 𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 � is the time at which is
𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿
𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿
unity � = 1�. Therefore, for the RL transient, the time constant is 𝜏𝜏 = seconds.
𝐿𝐿 𝑅𝑅

−�𝑅𝑅�𝑡𝑡
At 1 𝜏𝜏, the term 1 − 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = 1 − 𝑒𝑒 −1 = 1 − 0.368 = 0.632.
This means that at this time, the current is 63.2% of its final value.

Similarly, at 2 𝜏𝜏,
𝑅𝑅
1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 = 1 − 𝑒𝑒 −2 = 1 − 0.135 = 0.865,
And the current is 86.5% of its final value.

−�𝑅𝑅 �𝑡𝑡
After 7 𝜏𝜏 the transient is generally regarded as terminated since 1 − 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = 1 − 𝑒𝑒 −7 = 0.999 ≅ 1.

For convenience, the time constant τ is the unit used to plot the current of the equation
𝐸𝐸 𝑅𝑅
𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 𝐿𝐿 �𝑡𝑡 �
𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝐸 𝑡𝑡
That is, 𝜏𝜏 =
𝐿𝐿
𝑅𝑅
, we think of it as: 𝑖𝑖 = 𝑅𝑅 �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −𝜏𝜏 �

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Example 1. An RL circuit has an emf of 5 V, a resistance of 50 Ω, an inductance of 1 H, and no initial
current.
a. Find the current in the circuit at any time t.
b. Distinguish between the transient and steady-state current.

Procedure:
a. 𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 𝟏𝟏 (𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫):
Given: 𝑅𝑅 = 50 Ω and 𝐸𝐸 = 5V
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑇𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷: 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 + 𝐿𝐿 = 𝐸𝐸
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Substitute the given as follows:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
50𝑖𝑖 + 𝐿𝐿 =5
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
It looks like a FOLDE, right! � + 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥)�
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Rearranging it as, + 50𝑖𝑖 = 5 implies that 𝑃𝑃 (𝑡𝑡) = 50, a constant and 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) = 5, also a
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
constant, with 𝑃𝑃 and 𝑄𝑄 both functions of time 𝑡𝑡.

From the previous lesson in FOLDE, the formula for the general solution is
𝑦𝑦∅(𝑥𝑥) = � ∅(𝑥𝑥)𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶

𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑦𝑦𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ∅(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

and applying correspondence, we have 𝑖𝑖 = 𝑦𝑦 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑥𝑥 and therefore it follows that

𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
and continue with the integrating factor ∅(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 50𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡
so, we have
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
5 50𝑡𝑡
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = � 𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 (5) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑒𝑒 + 𝐶𝐶
50
1
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 =
� 5𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 (50) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
50
5 50𝑡𝑡 1 50𝑡𝑡
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = 𝑒𝑒 + 𝐶𝐶 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = 𝑒𝑒 + 𝐶𝐶
50 10

As an initial value problem (IVP), when 𝒕𝒕 = 𝟎𝟎, 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟎𝟎, so we have

1 50𝑡𝑡
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = 𝑒𝑒 + 𝐶𝐶
10

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

1 50(0) 1
(0)𝑒𝑒 50(0) = 𝑒𝑒 + 𝐶𝐶; 𝐶𝐶 = −
10 10
This gives us
1 50𝑡𝑡 1
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = 𝑒𝑒 −
10 10
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 = 0.1𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡 − 0.1
Dividing the equation by 𝑒𝑒50𝑡𝑡
0.1
𝑖𝑖 = 0.1 −
𝑒𝑒 50𝑡𝑡
𝐓𝐓𝐓𝐓𝐓𝐓 𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐮𝐮𝐮𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐧𝐧 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭 𝐭𝐭: 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝒆𝒆−𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓

Therefore the transient current is 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝒆𝒆−𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 𝑨𝑨, 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝐴𝐴)
And the steady state current is 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨, 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝐴𝐴)

𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 𝟐𝟐 (𝑼𝑼𝑼𝑼𝑼𝑼 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭):

Given: 𝑅𝑅 = 50 Ω, 𝐸𝐸 = 5V , 𝐿𝐿 = 1𝐻𝐻 and the formla is
𝑬𝑬 𝑹𝑹
𝒊𝒊 = �𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆−� 𝑳𝑳 �𝒕𝒕 �
𝑹𝑹
By substitution, we have
5 50
𝑖𝑖 = �1 − 𝑒𝑒 −� 1 �𝑡𝑡 � = 0.1[1 − 𝑒𝑒 −50𝑡𝑡 ]
50
𝐿𝐿 1
And the time constant TC is 𝜏𝜏 = = = 0.02
𝑅𝑅 50
This means that the current can reach steady state by 𝑡𝑡 = 0.02 𝑥𝑥 5 = 0.1 seconds.

Example 2. An inductance of L Henrys and a resistance of 10 Ohms are connected in series with an
emf of 100V. If the current is initially zero, and is equal to 9 Amperes after 1 second, find the following:
a. Inductance L
b. Current after 0.5 of a second.

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

Procedure:
Identifying the given from the Problem statement, 𝐸𝐸 = 100𝑉𝑉, 𝑅𝑅 = 10 𝑂𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝑹𝑹 𝑬𝑬
Formula: 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹 + 𝑳𝑳 = 𝑬𝑬 or the form in FOLDE that is linear in 𝒊𝒊 as + 𝒊𝒊 =
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝑳𝑳 𝑳𝑳
a. And substituting the given, we have
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 10 100
+ 𝑖𝑖 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
And therefore the solution is of the form
𝒊𝒊𝒆𝒆∫ 𝑷𝑷(𝐭𝐭)𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 = � 𝒆𝒆∫ 𝑷𝑷(𝐭𝐭)𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 + 𝑪𝑪
𝑅𝑅 10 𝐸𝐸 100
𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑃𝑃(𝑡𝑡) = = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) = =
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
10 10
� 𝑃𝑃(t)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑡𝑡
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
10 10 100
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 = � �𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 � � � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
𝐿𝐿
10 100 10 10 10
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 = � �𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶 | 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹: � 𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 −→ 𝒖𝒖 = 𝑡𝑡 and 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
10 100 𝑳𝑳 10 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 = � � � �𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
𝐿𝐿 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳
10 10
𝑖𝑖𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 = 10𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶
10
10𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶
𝑖𝑖 = 10
𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 𝑡𝑡
𝑪𝑪
𝒊𝒊 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒆𝒆 𝑳𝑳 𝒕𝒕
𝐶𝐶
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢, 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑡𝑡 = 0, 𝑖𝑖 = 0: 0 = 10 + 10
− −→ 𝑪𝑪 = −𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
(0)
𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
𝐶𝐶
Then substituting back to 𝑖𝑖 = 10 + 10 it becomes
𝑡𝑡
𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒊𝒊 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒆𝒆 𝑳𝑳 𝒕𝒕
Also, applying the condition that at 𝑖𝑖 = 9 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 after 𝑡𝑡 = 1 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠.
10
𝟗𝟗 = 10 − 10
𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 ( 𝟏𝟏 )
10 10
9𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = 10𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 − 10
10
−𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = −10
10
𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = 10
10
ln 𝑒𝑒 𝐿𝐿 = 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙10
10
= ln 10
𝐿𝐿
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝑳𝑳 = = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝑯𝑯
𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐥 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

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b. At 𝒕𝒕 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟓𝟓 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒂𝒂 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 as a condition and the derived value 𝑳𝑳 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝑯𝑯
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆, 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒆𝒆𝟒𝟒.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒕𝒕
10
𝑖𝑖 = 10 − 10
𝑒𝑒 4.34(0.5)
𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪, 𝒊𝒊 = 𝟔𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 𝑨𝑨

Mixing Problem: An Application of First Ordered Linear Differential Equations

In mixing problems, we will start with a substance that is dissolved in a liquid. Liquid will be entering and
leaving a holding tank. The liquid entering the tank may or may not contain more of the substance dissolved
in it. Liquid leaving the tank will of course contain the substance dissolved in it.
From above, a typical mixing problem deals with the amount of salt in a mixing tank. Salt and water enter
the tank at a certain rate, are mixed with what is already in the tank, and the mixture leaves at a certain rate.
We want to write a differential equation to model the situation, and then solve it.
The independent variable will be the time, 𝒕𝒕, in some appropriate unit (seconds, minutes, etc.). It may not
be so obvious what to use for a dependent variable: the concentration of salt in the liquid, or the amount of
salt. It is usually simpler to use the amount, 𝑸𝑸 (again, in appropriate units such as kilograms). Then the basic
principle determining the differential equation to model this situation is:

Rate at Rate at
Rate of change of
= which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) – which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕)
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕)
enters the tank exits the tank
where:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
 Rate of change of 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕): = 𝑄𝑄′(𝑡𝑡)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
 Rate at which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) enters the tank : (flow rate of liquid entering) x (concentration of
substance in liquid entering)
 Rate at which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) exits the tank : (flow rate of liquid exiting) x (concentration of substance in
liquid exiting)
For a substance like salt is not created or destroyed in this process, the change in the amount of salt in the
tank comes from the balance between what enters and what leaves.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Example 1: Initially a tank contains 10000 litres of brine with a salt concentration of 1 kg salt per 100 litres.
Brine with 2 kg salt per 100 litres enters the tank at a rate of 20 litres per second. The well-stirred mixture
leaves at the same rate. Find the concentration of salt as a function of time.

Procedure: Let 𝑸𝑸 be the amount (in kg) of salt in the tank, and 𝒕𝒕 the time in seconds, with 𝑡𝑡 = 0 initially. We
have 𝑄𝑄(0) = 1/100 (10000) = 100 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. From above, Rate at which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) enters the tank: (flow rate of
liquid entering) x (concentration of substance in liquid entering)

The rate at which salt enters is 20 (2/100) = 0.4 kg/sec.

Also, from above, Rate at which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) exits the tank: (flow rate of liquid exiting) x (concentration of
substance in liquid exiting)

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So, the rate at which salt leaves is 20 𝑪𝑪(𝒕𝒕), where 𝑪𝑪(𝒕𝒕) is the concentration of salt in the tank at
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕)
time t. Now 𝑪𝑪(𝒕𝒕) = where 𝑽𝑽(𝒕𝒕) is the volume of liquid in the tank.
𝑽𝑽(𝒕𝒕)

Since liquid leaves at the same rate as it enters, the volume is a constant (10000 litres). So the differential
equation is based on the formula

Rate at Rate at
Rate of change of
= which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) – which 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕)
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕)
enters the tank exits the tank

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡)

= 0.4 − 20𝐶𝐶(𝑡𝑡) 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 0.4 − 20
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡)
= 0.4 − 20
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 10,000
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡)
+ = 0.4
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 500
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
This is a first-order linear equation 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖ℎ 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 + 𝑦𝑦𝑷𝑷(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥). Using
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
correspondence for formulating the integrating factor, we have to let 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑡𝑡, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡), 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) =
1
, 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥) = 0.4.
500

1 1
The integrating factor is formatted with the formula 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 , 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑡𝑡.
500 500

1
The IF is therefore 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 , and the general solution is of the form
𝑦𝑦𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶

And so, for this problem we have

1 1
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 = � 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 (𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶

𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏 1 1
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) 𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 � 𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 + 𝑪𝑪 | 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 � 𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
500 500
1 1 1
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 = 0.4(500) � 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 � � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶
500
1 1
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 = 200𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶
1 − 𝟏𝟏
Diving by 𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡 , 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝑪𝑪𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕
− 𝟏𝟏
Substituting the initial condition 𝑡𝑡 = 0, 𝑄𝑄 = 100 in 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝑪𝑪𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕, then 𝑪𝑪 = −𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
− 𝟏𝟏
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
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Section: Schedule: Date:

For the concentration of salt as a function of time, 𝑪𝑪(𝒕𝒕) is the concentration of salt in the tank at time t.
−1
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) 200 − 100𝑒𝑒 500𝑡𝑡
𝐶𝐶(𝑡𝑡) = =
𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡) 10,000
− 𝟏𝟏
𝑪𝑪(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕 𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂.
Note: As 𝑡𝑡 → ∞ ∶ 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) → 200. 𝑸𝑸 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 is an equilibrium solution: at this value of 𝑄𝑄,

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 0, so 𝑄𝑄 would stay constant at this value.

Example 2: Take the same setup as in the previous example, but the mixture leaves the tank at only 10
litres per second. Of course the tank will eventually fill up, but we want to know the amount of salt at any
time before this.

Procedure:
This time instead of being constant, the volume 𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡) is a function of time: 𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡) = 10000 + 10 𝑡𝑡. The
differential equation is
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡)
= 0.4 −
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1,000 + 𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡) 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡)
+ = 0.4
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1, 000 + 𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
This is a first-order linear equation 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖ℎ 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 + 𝑦𝑦𝑷𝑷(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥). Using
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
correspondence for formulating the integrating factor, we have to let 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑡𝑡, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡), 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) =
1
, 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥) = 0.4.
1,000+𝑡𝑡

1
The integrating factor is formatted with the formula 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 , 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙(1000 + 𝑡𝑡)
1,000+𝑡𝑡

Then, IF is 𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏+𝒕𝒕) = 𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝒕𝒕, and the general solution is of the form
𝑦𝑦𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = � 𝑒𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑃(x)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑸𝑸(𝑥𝑥) 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥 + 𝐶𝐶
And so, for this problem we have
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) (𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝒕𝒕) = �(𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝒕𝒕)(𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝐶𝐶

𝒕𝒕𝟐𝟐
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) (𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝒕𝒕) = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 �𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + � + 𝑪𝑪
𝟐𝟐
𝑄𝑄(𝑡𝑡) (𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝒕𝒕) = 400𝑡𝑡 + 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝒕𝒕𝟐𝟐 + 𝐶𝐶
Diving by (1,000 + 𝑡𝑡) 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
400𝑡𝑡 + 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝒕𝒕𝟐𝟐 + 𝐶𝐶
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) =
1,000 + 𝑡𝑡

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 MAT 052: Differential Equations
Student Activity Sheet #13

Name: Class Number:

Section: Schedule: Date:

400𝑡𝑡+𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐𝒕𝒕𝟐𝟐 +𝐶𝐶
Substituting the initial condition 𝑡𝑡 = 0, 𝑄𝑄 = 100 in 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = , then 𝑪𝑪 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎.
1,000+𝑡𝑡
− 𝟏𝟏
𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝒆𝒆𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒕𝒕

1) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (15 mins + 2 mins checking)
Problem: A vessel contains 1,000 Liters of brine with 15 kg of dissolved salt. Pure water enters the
vessel at 10 liters per minute. The solution is kept thoroughly mixed and drains from the vessel at the
same rate. How much salt is in the tank after 𝒕𝒕 minutes?

2) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (5 mins)

Proceed to What I Know Chart for this part.

3) Activity 5: Check for Understanding (15 mins)

Problem: A large tank holds 300 gallons of brine solution with 40 pounds (lb) of salt. A concentration of
2 lb/gallon is pumped in a rate of 4 gal/min. The concentration leaving the tank is pumped out at a rate
of 3 gal/min. How much salt is in the tank after 12 minutes?

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Q1: Were you able to meet the learning objectives?

Q2: What type of question do you perceive to be most workable or manageable? Least workable?

FAQ
1. Can mixture or mixing problems be solved in another way or method but still using DE?
Ans.: YES, using separable variables. And now, you explore on this. GOOD LUCK!

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Activity 3: Skill-building Activities
Answer: 𝑸𝑸(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝒆𝒆−𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎

Activity 5: Check for Understanding

Answer: 126.12 lb of salt

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