Differential Equations

Module 3: Applications of First-

Order Differential Equations

Prepared by:

DR. ELUCILA M. SESPEÑE

Faculty, Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Palawan State University
 Module 3
APPLICATIONS OF FIRST-ORDER DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Overview
As a final sequel on the first-order differential equations, it is only fitting to discuss here the
applications of all the theoretical works taken up in the first two modules of this course. A number of
problems in physics, chemistry, and electrical circuits will be considered in this module. Sections 3.1
and 3.2 discusses exponential growth and decay and examine population growth, radioactive decay,
continuous compound interest, and Newton’s law of cooling. Sections 3.3 and 3.4 studies applications
on mixing of solutions and electrical circuits.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Apply first-order differential equations to selected engineering problems such as exponential
growth and decay, Newton’s law of cooling, mixing of solutions and electrical circuits.

3.1 EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND DECAY

Population such as humans, rodents, fruit flies, and bacteria whose supply of food is unlimited
grows at a rate proportional to the size of the population: a process known as exponential growth. On
the other hand, certain types of substances decompose at a rate proportional to its amount at any
instant: a relative but opposite process known as exponential decay. Problems of such nature will be
the main topic of discussion in this section.
If 𝑆 represents the amount of a certain substance which follows the law of exponential change
stated above, then
𝑑𝑆
= 𝑘𝑆 (3.1)
𝑑𝑡
where 𝑘 is the constant of proportionality.
The solution of Eq. (3.1) is by separation of variables, that is,
𝑑𝑆
= 𝑘𝑑𝑡
𝑆
ln 𝑆 = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑐
𝑆 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡+𝑐
or
𝑆 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡 (3.2)
Since Eq. (3.2) contains two constants, 𝐶 and 𝑘, there must be two known boundary conditions to be
able to express 𝑆 as a function of time, 𝑡, alone. In Eq. (3.2), if 𝑘 > 0, the process is that of exponential
growth. If 𝑘 < 0, the process is that of exponential decay.

Example 3.1
The population of a certain community follows the law of exponential change. If the present population
of the community is 144,000 and ten years ago was 100,000,
a. when will the population double?
b. In ten years, what will be the population of the community?

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Solution
In accordance with Eq. (3.2),
𝑑𝑃
= 𝑘𝑃
𝑑𝑡
or
𝑃 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡
where 𝑃 denotes the population of the community at any time, 𝑡.
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑃 = 144,000, therefore 𝐶 = 144,000
When 𝑡 = −10 years, 𝑃 = 100,000 and since 𝐶 = 144,000, then
1 25
100,000 = 144,000𝑒 𝑘(−10) or 𝑘 = − ln = 0.0365
10 36
Therefore,
𝑃 = 144,000𝑒 0.0365𝑡
a. When 𝑃 = 288,000 (population doubled),
288,000 = 144,000𝑒 0.0365𝑡 or 𝑒 0.0365𝑡 = 2
Solving for 𝑡,
0.0365𝑡 = ln 2 or 𝑡 = 19 years
b. When 𝑡 = 10 years
𝑃 = 144,000𝑒 0.0365(10) = 207,434

Example 3.2
Radium decomposes at a rate proportional to the amount present. In 100 years, 100 mg of radium
decompose to 96 mg.
a. How many mg will be left after another 100 years?
b. What is the half-life (the time required to decompose half the initial amount) of radium?

Solution
Use Eq. (3.2), that is,
𝑆 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡
where 𝑆 is the amount of radium at any time, 𝑡 (mg).
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑆 = 100 mg, therefore 𝐶 = 100
When 𝑡 = 100 years, 𝑆 = 96 mg,
96 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘(100)
and since 𝐶 = 100, then
1 24
96 = 100𝑒 𝑘(100) or 𝑘 = ln = −4.0822 × 10−4
100 25
Therefore,
𝑆 = 100 exp(−4.0822 × 10−4 𝑡)
a. When 𝑡 = 200 years,
𝑆 = 100 exp(−4.0822 × 10−4 (200)) = 92.16 mg
b. To get the half-life of radium, use 𝑆 = 50 mg
1
50 = 100 exp(−4.0822 × 10−4 𝑡) or exp(−4.0822 × 10−4 𝑡) =
2
Solving for 𝑡,
1
−4.0822 × 10−4 𝑡 = ln or 𝑡 = 1697.97 years
2

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Example 3.3
How much money should a person invest at 6.25% interest compounded continuously so that the
person will have P50,000 after 10 years?

Solution
In accordance with Eq. (3.2),
𝑑𝑃
= 𝑟𝑃
𝑑𝑡
or
𝑃 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑟𝑡
where 𝑃 denotes the amount of money at any time, 𝑡 and 𝑟 is the nominal rate of interest.
Since 𝑟 = 0.0625, therefore
𝑃 = 𝐶𝑒 0.0625𝑡
When 𝑡 = 10, 𝑃 = 50,000,
50,000 = 𝐶𝑒 0.0625(10)
Solving for 𝐶,
50,000
𝐶 = 0.0625(10) = P26,763.07
𝑒

Exercise Set 3.1

1. The population of a certain country is known to increase at a rate proportional to the number of
people presently living in the country. If after two years the population has doubled, and after
three years the population is 20,000. Find the number of people initially living in the country.
2. The amount of atmospheric pollutants in a certain mountain valley grows naturally and is tripling
every 7.5 years. The initial amount is 10 pu (pollutant units). If it will be dangerous to stay in the
valley when the amount of pollutants reaches 100 pu, how long this will take?
3. It was found that 1% of a certain quantity of some radioactive isotope of radium decayed after 20
years. Determine the half-life of this isotope.
4. A certain radioactive material is known to decay at a rate proportional to the amount present. If
initially 500 mg of the material is present and after 3 years, 20% of the original mass has decayed,
determine the amount remaining after 25 years.
5. If the nominal interest rate is 3% compounded continuously, how much is P250,000 worth at the
end of 10 years?

3.2 NEWTON’S LAW OF COOLING

The Newton’s law of cooling states that the temperature of the body changes at a rate directly
proportional to the difference in temperature between the outside medium and the body itself.
In accordance with the law stated above,
𝑑𝑇
= 𝑘(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 ) (3.3)
𝑑𝑡
where 𝑇 is the temperature of the body at any time, 𝑇𝑠 is the constant temperature of the medium,
and 𝑘 is the constant of proportionality.

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The solution of Eq. (3.3) is by separation of variables, that is,
𝑑𝑇
= 𝑘𝑑𝑡
𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠
ln(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 ) = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑐
𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡+𝑐
or
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑇𝑠 (3.4)
Since Eq. (3.4) contains two constants, 𝐶 and 𝑘, there must be two known boundary conditions to be
able to express 𝑇 as a function of time, 𝑡, alone.

Example 3.4
If a thermometer is taken outdoors, where the temperature is 5°C, from a room in which the
temperature is 20°C, and the reading drops 10°C in one minute, how long after its removal from the
room will the reading be 6°C? After 30 seconds, what will be the thermometer reading?

Solution
Since 𝑇𝑠 = 5°C, from Eq. (3.4),
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡 + 5
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑇 = 20°C, therefore 𝐶 = 15.
When 𝑡 = 1 min, 𝑇 = 10°C and with 𝐶 = 15,
1
10 = 15𝑒 𝑘(1) + 5 or 𝑘 = ln = −1.0986
3
Therefore,
𝑇 = 15𝑒 −1.0986𝑡 + 5
a. When 𝑇 = 6°C,
1
6 = 15𝑒 −1.0986𝑡 + 5 or 𝑒 −1.0986𝑡 =
15
Solving for 𝑡,
1
−1.0986𝑡 = ln or 𝑡 = 2.47 min.
15
b. When 𝑡 = 30 sec. or 0.5 min.,
𝑇 = 15𝑒 −1.0986(0.5) + 5 = 13.66°C

Example 3.5
A body at a temperature of 50°F is placed outdoors where the temperature is 100°F. If after 5 minutes
the temperature of the body is 60°F, determine the temperature of the body after 20 minutes.

Solution
Since 𝑇𝑠 = 100°F, from Eq. (3.4),
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑒 𝑘𝑡 + 100
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑇 = 50°F, therefore 𝐶 = −50.
When 𝑡 = 5 mins, 𝑇 = 60°F and with 𝐶 = −50,
1 4
60 = 100 − 50𝑒 5𝑘 or 𝑘 = ln = −0.0446
5 5
Therefore,
𝑇 = 100 − 50𝑒 −0.0446𝑡

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When 𝑡 = 20 mins,
𝑇 = 100 − 50𝑒 −0.0446(20) = 79.51°F

Exercise Set 3.2

1. A metal bar at a temperature of 100°F is placed in a room at a constant temperature of 0°F. If

after 20 minutes the temperature of the bar is 50°F, find the temperature of the bar after 10
minutes.
2. A body at a temperature of 50°F is placed outdoors where the temperature is 100°F. If after 5
minutes the temperature of the body is 60°F, how long will it take the body to reach a temperature
of 75°F?
3. An apple pie is removed from the oven at 1:00 PM. At that time, it is piping hot at 100°C. At 1:10
PM, its temperature is 80°C; at 1:20 PM, it is 65°C. Determine the temperature of the room.
4. A thermometer reading 75°F is taken out where the temperature is 20°F. After four minutes, the
reading is 30°F. Find
a. the thermometer reading 7 minutes after the thermometer was brought outside, and
b. the time taken for the reading to drop from 75°F to within a half degree of the air temperature
or 20.5°F.
5. At a certain time, a thermometer reading 70°F is taken outdoors where the temperature is 15°F.
Five minutes later, the thermometer reading is 45°F. After another 5 minutes, the thermometer is
brought back indoors where the temperature is fixed at 70°F.
a. What is the thermometer reading ten minutes after the thermometer is brought back indoors?
b. When will the reading, to the nearest degree, return back to its original reading of 70°F?

3.3 MIXING OF SOLUTIONS

The problem under consideration in this section is on chemical solutions. Given a solution or
mixture having an initial volume 𝑉 and containing a particular substance 𝑆 at time, 𝑡 = 0, let another
solution or mixture containing the same substance 𝑆 enter the given solution at a known rate. Further,
the resulting mixture, kept uniform by stirring is allowed to escape at a given rate. The problem is the
determination of the amount of the substance 𝑆 in the resulting mixture at any time, 𝑡.
Let 𝑆 is the amount of substance 𝑆 at any time in the resulting mixture and 𝑑𝑆/𝑑𝑡 is the rate
of change of the amount of the substance in the mixture. In accordance with the stated problem
above,
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆
=( ) −( ) (3.5)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡
where: (𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡)𝑖𝑛 is the rate at which the amount of the substance is entering the mixture
(𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡)𝑜𝑢𝑡 is the rate at which the amount of the substance is escaping from the mixture

Notes:
1. The unit of 𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡 in the SI system is usually newtons per second or N/s.
2. The unit of the volume may be in liters or cubic meters (m 3), while the amount of the substance
is in newtons (N).
3. (𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡)𝑖𝑛 is the product of the rate of entry (liters/s) and the amount of the substance per unit
of volume in the incoming solution (N/liter).

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 4. (𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡)𝑜𝑢𝑡 is the concentration of the substance (N/liter) in the resulting mixture times the
rate of escape of the mixture (liters/s).

Example 3.6
A tank initially contains 200 liters of fresh water. Brine containing 2.5 N/liter of dissolved salt runs into
the tank at the rate of 8 liters/min and the mixture kept uniform by stirring runs out at the same rate.
(a) How long will it take for the quantity of salt in the tank to be 180 N? (b) In 10 mins, determine the
concentration of the salt in the mixture.

Solution
Let: 𝑆 = amount of salt in the tank at any time 𝑡
200 + (8 − 8)𝑡 = volume of tank at any time 𝑡
𝑆⁄200 = salt concentration at any time 𝑡
Using Eq. (3.5),
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆
=( ) −( )
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑑𝑆 𝑆 8𝑆
= 2.5(8) − ( ) (8) = 20 −
𝑑𝑡 200 200
25𝑑𝑆
= 𝑑𝑡
500 − 𝑆
−25 ln(500 − 𝑆) = 𝑡 + 𝐶
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑆 = 0, therefore 𝐶 = −25 ln 500,
500 − 𝑆
25 ln ( ) = −𝑡
500
𝑆 = 500(1 − 𝑒 −𝑡⁄25 )
a. When 𝑆 = 180 N,
16
180 = 500(1 − 𝑒 −𝑡⁄25 ) or 𝑒 −𝑡⁄25 =
25
Solving for 𝑡,
16
−𝑡⁄25 = ln or 𝑡 = 11.16 min.
25
b. When 𝑡 = 10 min.,
𝑆 = 500(1 − 𝑒 −10⁄25 ) = 164.84 N
The concentration of the salt is
164.84
𝐶= = 0.8242 N⁄liter
200

Example 3.7
A tank originally contains 380 liters of brine holding 450 N of dissolved salt. 8 liters/min of brine
containing 3.75 N/liter of salt enters the tank and the mixture assumed uniformly leaves at the rate of
12 liters/min.
a. Determine the amount of salt after 10 mins.
b. When will the amount of salt in the mixture be 500 N?
c. What is the maximum amount of salt in the mixture?

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Solution
Let: 𝑆 = amount of salt in the tank at any time 𝑡
380 + (8 − 12)𝑡 = volume of tank at any time 𝑡
𝑆⁄(380 − 4𝑡) = salt concentration at any time 𝑡
Using Eq. (3.5),
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆
=( ) −( )
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑑𝑆 𝑆 12𝑆
= 8(3.75) − ( ) (12) = 30 −
𝑑𝑡 380 − 4𝑡 380 − 4𝑡
𝑑𝑆 3𝑆
+ = 30 (linear in 𝑆)
𝑑𝑡 95 − 𝑡
Solving for integrating factor, 𝑣,
3
𝑣 = exp (∫ 𝑑𝑡) = exp[−3 ln(95 − 𝑡)] = (95 − 𝑡)−3
95 − 𝑡
The solution to this differential equation is
𝑆(95 − 𝑡)−3 = ∫(95 − 𝑡)−3 (30) 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
𝑆 = 15(95 − 𝑡) + 𝐶(95 − 𝑡)3
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑆 = 450 𝑁, therefore 𝐶 = −975⁄(95)3
975
𝑆 = 15(95 − 𝑡) − 3 (95 − 𝑡)3
95
a. At 𝑡 = 10 min.,
975
𝑆 = 15(95 − 10) − 3 (95 − 10)3 = 576.62 N
95
b. When 𝑆 = 500 N,
975
500 = 15(95 − 𝑡) − 3 (95 − 𝑡)3
95
𝑡 = 3.4 min.
c. To maximize 𝑆, set 𝑑𝑆⁄𝑑𝑡 = 0,
𝑑𝑆 3 × 975
= −15 + (95 − 𝑡)2 = 0
𝑑𝑡 953
𝑡 = 28.69 min.
So, the maximum amount of salt is
975
𝑆 = 15(95 − 28.69) − 3 (95 − 28.69)3 = 663.08 N
95

Exercise Set 3.3

1. A tank contains 200 liters of fresh water. Brine containing 2.5 N/liter of dissolved salt runs into the
tank at the rate of 8 liters/min and the mixture kept uniform by stirring runs out at 4 liters/min. Find
the amount of salt when the tank contains 240 liters of brine. The concentration of salt in the tank
after 25 minutes amounts to how much?
2. A tank contains 400 liters of brine. 12 liters of brine, each containing 2.5 N of dissolved salt, enter
the tank per minute, and the mixture, assumed uniform, leaves at the rate of 8 liters/min. If the
concentration is to be 2 N/liter at the end of one hour, how many newtons of salt should there be
present in the tank originally?

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3. A tank initially contains 100 gal. of salt solution, where 50 lbs. of salt is added. Salt solution
containing 1 lb/gal of salt goes into the tank at the rate of 2 gal/min and the solution thoroughly
mixed goes out at the rate of 1 gal/min. Find the amount of pure salt after 100 minutes.
4. A tank contains 100 L of water. A salt solution containing 2 kg of salt per liter flow in at the rate of
3 liters per minute and the well stirred mixture flows out at the same rate. When will the tank have
100 kg of salt?
5. A tank initially contains 50 gallons of pure water. Starting at time 𝑡 = 0, a brine containing 2 lbs of
dissolved salt per gallon flows into the tank at the rate of 3 gal/min. The mixture is kept uniform
by stirring and the well stirred mixture simultaneously flows out of the tank at the same rate.
Approximately how much salt is present at the end of 25 minutes?

3.4 ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

The application of first-order differential equations to electrical circuits can be shown to simple
electrical circuits consisting of a voltage source, a resistor, and either and inductor or a capacitor.
These are called RL and RC circuits.

Figure 3.1 (a) RL Circuit, (b) RC Circuit

A simple closed electric circuit is one in which a resistance 𝑅, and an inductance 𝐿 or a

capacitance 𝐶, are connected in series with a source of electromotive force (emf) of 𝐸 volts. The
differential equation necessary to solve the various problems relative to this circuit is derived with the
use of the laws of Ohm and Kirchhoff.
The resistance 𝑅, in ohms (), is a circuit parameter which oppose the current 𝐼, in amperes
(A), causing a drop of
𝐸𝑅 = 𝑅𝐼 (3.6)
The inductance 𝐿, in henry (H), is a circuit parameter which opposes a change in the current 𝐼 causing
a potential drop of
𝑑𝐼
𝐸𝐿 = 𝐿 (3.7)
𝑑𝑡
The capacitance 𝐶, in farad (F), is a circuit parameter which opposes a change in the voltage. The
potential drop across a capacitor is
𝑄
𝐸𝐶 = (3.8)
𝐶
Here 𝑄 is the electric charge measured in coulombs (C)

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The current 𝐼 is the rate of change of the electric charge 𝑄 or
𝑑𝑄
𝐼= (3.9)
𝑑𝑡
The first law of Kirchhoff (Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law) states that the algebraic sum of all the
potentials around a closed electrical circuit is zero. Applying this law, for an RL circuit, we have
𝑑𝐼
𝐿 + 𝑅𝐼 = 𝐸 (3.10)
𝑑𝑡
and for an RC circuit, we have
𝑑𝑄 1
𝑅 + 𝑄=𝐸 (3.11)
𝑑𝑡 𝐶
The common units and symbols used for electrical circuits are listed in the table below.

Table 3.1 Common Units and Symbols Used with Electrical Circuits

Example 3.8
An inductance of 2 henries and a resistance of 20 ohms are connected in series with an emf of 𝐸
volts. If the current is zero at time, 𝑡 = 0, find the current at the end of 0.01 sec if (a) 𝐸 = 100 V; (b)
𝐸 = 100 sin 150𝑡 V.

Solution
a. When 𝐸 = 100 V, from Eq. (3.10),
𝑑𝐼
𝐿 + 𝑅𝐼 = 𝐸
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
2 + 20𝐼 = 100
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
= 𝑑𝑡
50 − 10𝐼
1
− ln(50 − 10𝐼) = 𝑡 + 𝐶
10
1
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝐼 = 0, therefore 𝐶 = − ln 50,
10
1 1
− ln(50 − 10𝐼) = 𝑡 − ln 50
10 10
ln(50 − 10𝐼) = −10𝑡 + ln 50
50 − 10𝐼 = 50𝑒 −10𝑡
𝐼 = 5(1 − 𝑒 −10𝑡 )
When 𝑡 = 0.01 sec.,
𝐼 = 5(1 − 𝑒 −10(0.01) ) = 0.476 A

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b. When 𝐸 = 100 sin 150𝑡 V, from Eq. (3.10),
𝑑𝐼
𝐿 + 𝑅𝐼 = 𝐸
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
2 + 20𝐼 = 100 sin 150𝑡
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
+ 10𝐼 = 50 sin 150𝑡 (linear in 𝐼)
𝑑𝑡
Solving for integrating factor, 𝑣,
𝑣 = exp (∫ 10 𝑑𝑡) = 𝑒 10𝑡
The solution to this differential equation is
𝐼𝑒 10𝑡 = ∫ 𝑒 10𝑡 (50 sin 150𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
50𝑒 10𝑡
𝐼𝑒 10𝑡 = (10 sin 150𝑡 − 150 cos 150𝑡) + 𝐶
100 + 22500
When 𝐼 = 0, 𝑡 = 0, therefore 𝐶 = 150/452,
1 150 −10𝑡
𝐼= (10 sin 150𝑡 − 150 cos 150𝑡) + 𝑒
452 452
When 𝑡 = 0.01 sec.,
1 150 −10(0.01)
𝐼= [10 sin(150 × 0.01) − 150 cos(150 × 0.01)] + 𝑒 = 0.299 A
452 452

Example 3.9
An RC circuit has an emf given by 400 cos 2𝑡 V, a resistance of 100 , and a capacitance of 10-2 F.
Initially, there is no charge on the capacitor. Find the current in the circuit after 0.5 sec.

Solution
From Eq. (3.11),
𝑑𝑄 1
𝑅 + 𝑄=𝐸
𝑑𝑡 𝐶
𝑑𝑄 1
100 + −2 𝑄 = 400 cos 2𝑡
𝑑𝑡 10
𝑑𝑄
+ 𝑄 = 4 cos 2𝑡 (linear in 𝑄)
𝑑𝑡
Solving for the integrating factor,
𝑣 = exp (∫ 𝑑𝑡) = 𝑒 𝑡
The solution to this differential equation is
𝑄𝑒 𝑡 = ∫ 𝑒 𝑡 (4 cos 2𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

𝑒𝑡
𝑄𝑒 𝑡 = 4 ( (cos 2𝑡 + 2 sin 2𝑡)) + 𝐶
1+4
4 8
𝑄 = cos 2𝑡 + sin 2𝑡 + 𝐶𝑒 −𝑡
5 5
When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑄 = 0, therefore 𝐶 = −4⁄5,
4 8 4
𝑄 = cos 2𝑡 + sin 2𝑡 − 𝑒 −𝑡
5 5 5

Math 21 – Differential Equations Dr. Elucila M. Sespeñe | Page 10

When 𝑡 = 0.5,
𝑑𝑄 8 16 4
𝐼= = − sin 2𝑡 + cos 2𝑡 + 𝑒 −𝑡
𝑑𝑡 5 5 5
8 16 4
𝐼 = − sin(2 × 0.5) + cos(2 × 0.5) + 𝑒 −0.5 = 0.868 A
5 5 5

Exercise Set 3.4

1. An RL circuit with a 1- resistor and a 0.01-H inductor is driven by voltage 𝐸 = sin 100𝑡 V. If the
initial inductor current is zero, determine the subsequent resistor and inductor voltages and the
current.
2. A resistance and inductance are connected in series in a circuit containing an impressed voltage
of 100 V. If 𝑅 = 10 Ω, 𝐿 = 2 H and there is no initial current. Find the current when 𝑡 = 0.02 s.
3. An RL circuit with a 5- resistor and a 0.05-H inductor carries a current of 1 A at 𝑡 = 0, at which
time a voltage source of 5 cos 120𝑡 V is added. Determine the current at any time 𝑡.
4. Find the charge on the capacitor in a simple RC circuit having a resistance of 10 , a capacitance
of 0.001 F, and an emf of 100 sin 120𝜋𝑡 V, if there is no initial charge on the capacitor.
5. An RC circuit with a 1- resistor and a 0.000001-F capacitor is driven by a voltage sin 100𝑡 V. If
the initial capacitor voltage is zero, determine the current at any time 𝑡.

ANSWER KEY

Exercise Set 3.1

1. 7,062
2. 15.72 years
3. 1379 years
4. 77.9 mg
5. P337,464.70

Exercise Set 3.2

1. 70.5°F
2. 15.5 mins
3. 20°C
4. a. 22.78°F
b. 11.03 mins
5. a. 58°F
b. 46 mins

Exercise Set 3.3

1. 183 N, 1.40 N/liter
2. 180 N
3. 0.338 min
4. 23.1 mins
5. 78 lbs

Math 21 – Differential Equations Dr. Elucila M. Sespeñe | Page 11

Exercise Set 3.4
1. 𝐸𝑅 = 0.5(sin 100𝑡 − cos 100𝑡 + 𝑒 −100𝑡 )
𝐸𝐿 = 0.5(cos 100𝑡 + sin 100𝑡 − 𝑒 −100𝑡 )
𝐼 = 0.5(sin 100𝑡 − cos 100𝑡 + 𝑒 −100𝑡 )
2. 0.951 A
1.44𝑒 −100𝑡 + cos 120𝑡 + 1.2 sin 120𝑡
3. 𝐼=
2.44
10 sin 120𝜋𝑡 − 12𝜋 cos 120𝜋𝑡 3𝜋
4. 𝑞= 2 + 𝑒 −100𝑡
100 + 144𝜋 25 + 36𝜋 2
10,000 cos 100𝑡 + sin 100𝑡 − 10,000𝑒 −1,000,000𝑡
5. 𝐼=
100,000,001

REFERENCES
1. Dela Fuente, R. A., Uy, F. B., Templo, P. T., Ocampo, J. L. (2014). Simplified Differential
Equations. Merriam & Webster Bookstore, Inc.
2. Nagle, R. K., Saff, E. B., Snider, A. D. (2012). Fundamentals of Differential Equations (8th ed.).
Pearson Education, Inc.
3. Rainville, E. D., Bedient, P. E., Bedient, R. E. (2002). Elementary Differential Equations (8th ed.).
Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd.

Math 21 – Differential Equations Dr. Elucila M. Sespeñe | Page 12