Newton's Law of Cooling on cup of coffee

In summary, the temperature of a cup of coffee at 174 degrees poured into a mug and left in a room at 76 degrees can be described by the differential equation dT/dt = k(T-76). After 5 minutes, the coffee reaches a temperature of 134 degrees. By solving for the constant k and plugging it into the general solution, the temperature of the coffee after 15 minutes can be calculated to be approximately 96.316 degrees.
  • #1
ProBasket
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A cup of coffee at 174 degrees is poured into a mug and left in a room at 76 degrees. After 5 minutes, the coffee is 134 degrees. Assume that the differential equation describing Newton's Law of Cooling is (in this case) dT/dt = k(T-76)

here's what i done:

[tex]y(0) = 98e^{kt}[/tex]

y(5) = 134-76 = 58, so...

98e^{5k} = 58
k = -0.104904
[tex]y(15) = 98*e^{15*-0.104904} + 76[/tex]
and got 159.8448 which is wrong. anyone know where i went wrong?
 
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  • #2
Go back to the general solution of the DE, you have made some mistakes in how you have handled the constants.
 
  • #3
ProBasket said:
A cup of coffee at 174 degrees is poured into a mug and left in a room at 76 degrees. After 5 minutes, the coffee is 134 degrees. Assume that the differential equation describing Newton's Law of Cooling is (in this case) dT/dt = k(T-76)

here's what i done:

[tex]y(0) = 98e^{kt}[/tex]

y(5) = 134-76 = 58, so...

98e^{5k} = 58
k = -0.104904
[tex] \ \ \ \color{red} y(15) = 98*e^{15*-0.104904} + 76[/tex]
and got 159.8448 which is wrong. anyone know where i went wrong?
All your work is basically correct (although the presentation could improve a bit). You've made a careless mistake computing the final equation (in RED above). That equation is correct and evaluates to:
{Temperature at t=(15 min)} = (96.316 deg)


~~
 
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1. What is Newton's Law of Cooling?

Newton's Law of Cooling is a scientific principle that describes how the temperature of an object changes over time when it is in contact with a cooler or warmer surrounding environment.

2. How does Newton's Law of Cooling apply to a cup of coffee?

In the case of a cup of coffee, Newton's Law of Cooling explains how the temperature of the coffee decreases as it comes into contact with the cooler surrounding air.

3. What factors affect the rate of cooling of a cup of coffee?

The rate of cooling of a cup of coffee can be affected by several factors, such as the initial temperature of the coffee, the temperature of the surrounding environment, the type of cup or mug used, and the material of the cup.

4. Can Newton's Law of Cooling be used to predict the temperature of a cup of coffee at a certain time?

Yes, Newton's Law of Cooling can be used to predict the temperature of a cup of coffee at a certain time. By measuring the initial temperature of the coffee and the surrounding environment, and knowing the specific heat and thermal conductivity of the materials involved, the rate of cooling and the final temperature of the coffee can be calculated.

5. Is Newton's Law of Cooling accurate in real-life situations?

While Newton's Law of Cooling is a simplification of the complex process of heat transfer, it can provide a fairly accurate estimate of the temperature change over time for a cup of coffee in normal everyday conditions. However, other factors such as air currents and humidity can also affect the rate of cooling, leading to some discrepancy between predicted and actual temperatures.

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