A thermometer which has been at the reading of 70°F inside a house is

placed outside where the air temperature is 10°F. Three minutes later it is
found that the thermometer reading is 25°F. Find the thermometer reading
after 6 minutes.

Solution 01
According to Newton’s Law of cooling, the time rate of change
of temperature is proportional to the temperature difference.
dTdt=−k(T−Ts)
dTdt=−k(T−10)
dTT−10=−kdt
ln(T−10)=−kt+lnC
ln(T−10)=lne−kt+lnC
ln(T−10)=lnCe−kt
T−10=Ce−kt
T=10+Ce−kt

When t = 0, T = 70°F
70=10+C
C=60

Hence,
T=10+60e−kt

When t = 3 min, T = 25°F

25=10+60e−3k
15=60e−3k
1560=e−3k
e−k=(14)1/3

Thus,
T=10+60(14)t/3

After 6 minutes, t = 6
T=10+60(14)2
T=13.75∘F

A thermometer reading 75 degree Fahrenheit is taken out where the

temperature is 20 degree Fahrenheit. The thermometer reading is 30 degree
Fahrenheit 4 minutes later. Find the time (in minutes) taken for the reading
to drop from 75 degree Fahrenheit to within half degree of the air
temperature.

Solution 0
dTdt=−k(T−Ts)
dTdt=−k(T−20)
dTT−20=−kdt
ln(T−20)=−kt+lnC
ln(T−20)=lne−kt+lnC
ln(T−20)=lnCe−kt
T−20=Ce−kt
T=20+Ce−kt

When t = 0, T = 75°
75=20+Ce0
C=55

Hence,
T=20+55e−kt

When t = 4, T = 30°
30=20+55e−4k
1055=e−4k
e−k=(211)1/4

Thus,
T=20+55(211)t/4

When T = 20.5°F
20.5=20+55(211)t/4
0.555=(211)t/4
ln0.555=ln(211)t/4
ln(1110)=14tln(211)
t=4ln(1110)ln(211)
t=11.029 minutes