Applications of Differential Equations

Description: This quiz covers various applications of differential equations, including population growth, radioactive decay, and more.
Number of Questions: 5
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Tags: differential equations applications population growth radioactive decay
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Consider a population of rabbits that grows at a rate proportional to its size. If the initial population is 100 rabbits and the population doubles in 10 years, what is the population after 20 years?

  1. 200 rabbits

  2. 400 rabbits

  3. 800 rabbits

  4. 1600 rabbits


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The population growth can be modeled by the differential equation $\frac{dP}{dt} = kP$, where $P$ is the population size and $k$ is a constant. Solving this equation with the given initial condition gives $P(t) = 100e^{kt}$. Since the population doubles in 10 years, we have $200 = 100e^{10k}$, which implies $k = \frac{\ln 2}{10}$. Therefore, the population after 20 years is $P(20) = 100e^{20k} = 100e^{2\ln 2} = 1600$ rabbits.

A radioactive substance decays at a rate proportional to the amount present. If the half-life of the substance is 10 years, what percentage of the original amount remains after 20 years?

  1. 25%

  2. 50%

  3. 75%

  4. 100%


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The radioactive decay can be modeled by the differential equation $\frac{dQ}{dt} = -kQ$, where $Q$ is the amount of the substance and $k$ is a constant. Solving this equation with the given half-life gives $Q(t) = Q_0e^{-kt}$, where $Q_0$ is the initial amount. Since the half-life is 10 years, we have $\frac{Q_0}{2} = Q_0e^{-10k}$, which implies $k = \frac{\ln 2}{10}$. Therefore, the amount remaining after 20 years is $Q(20) = Q_0e^{-20k} = Q_0e^{-2\ln 2} = \frac{Q_0}{4} = 25%$ of the original amount.

A spring-mass system is described by the differential equation $m\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + kx = 0$, where $m$ is the mass, $k$ is the spring constant, and $x$ is the displacement from the equilibrium position. If the mass is 1 kg, the spring constant is 10 N/m, and the initial displacement is 1 meter, what is the amplitude of the resulting motion?

  1. 1 meter

  2. 2 meters

  3. 3 meters

  4. 4 meters


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The general solution to the differential equation is $x(t) = A\cos(\omega t + \phi)$, where $A$ is the amplitude, $\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$ is the angular frequency, and $\phi$ is the phase angle. Using the initial conditions, we have $x(0) = A\cos\phi = 1$ and $\frac{dx}{dt}(0) = -A\omega\sin\phi = 0$. This implies that $\phi = 0$ and $A = 1$. Therefore, the amplitude of the motion is 1 meter.

A tank initially contains 100 gallons of pure water. A salt solution with a concentration of 0.5 pounds per gallon is pumped into the tank at a rate of 10 gallons per minute, and the well-mixed solution is pumped out at the same rate. What is the amount of salt in the tank after 10 minutes?

  1. 25 pounds

  2. 50 pounds

  3. 75 pounds

  4. 100 pounds


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Let $Q(t)$ be the amount of salt in the tank at time $t$. The rate of change of $Q(t)$ is given by $\frac{dQ}{dt} = (0.5\cdot 10) - \frac{Q}{100\cdot 10}$, which simplifies to $\frac{dQ}{dt} = 5 - \frac{Q}{1000}$. Solving this equation with the initial condition $Q(0) = 0$ gives $Q(t) = 50(1 - e^{-t/200})$. Therefore, the amount of salt in the tank after 10 minutes is $Q(10) = 50(1 - e^{-1/20}) \approx 50$ pounds.

A predator-prey model is given by the system of differential equations $\frac{dx}{dt} = x(1 - \frac{x}{K}) - \alpha xy$ and $\frac{dy}{dt} = -y(1 - \frac{y}{N}) + \beta xy$, where $x$ is the population of prey, $y$ is the population of predators, $K$ is the carrying capacity of the environment for the prey, $N$ is the carrying capacity of the environment for the predators, $\alpha$ is the attack rate of the predators, and $\beta$ is the conversion efficiency of the prey into predators. If $K = 1000$, $N = 500$, $\alpha = 0.01$, and $\beta = 0.005$, what is the equilibrium point of the system?

  1. (500, 250)

  2. (750, 375)

  3. (1000, 500)

  4. (1250, 625)


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The equilibrium point is the point where $\frac{dx}{dt} = 0$ and $\frac{dy}{dt} = 0$. Setting $\frac{dx}{dt} = 0$ and solving for $x$ gives $x = \frac{K}{1 + \alpha y}$. Setting $\frac{dy}{dt} = 0$ and solving for $y$ gives $y = \frac{N}{1 + \beta x}$. Substituting the expression for $x$ into the expression for $y$, we get $y = \frac{N}{1 + \beta\frac{K}{1 + \alpha y}}$. Solving this equation for $y$ gives $y = 375$. Substituting this value of $y$ into the expression for $x$, we get $x = 750$. Therefore, the equilibrium point is (750, 375).

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