"Solving for Temperature - 23°C to -11°C

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a thermometer transitioning from a temperature of 23°C indoors to -11°C outdoors, with a recorded temperature of 14°C after one minute. The task is to determine the thermometer's reading after an additional three minutes, utilizing Newton's Law of Cooling.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's Law of Cooling, questioning the setup of initial conditions and the substitution of values into the equation. There is exploration of the correct interpretation of time intervals and the implications of using different time values in calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the correct application of the cooling equation and the proper interpretation of time in the context of the problem. Some participants provide hints and corrections regarding the setup of equations, while others express confusion over the initial conditions and the calculations leading to the final temperature after three additional minutes.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accurately interpreting the time variable in the context of the problem, particularly distinguishing between the time elapsed and the total time for calculations. There is also mention of the potential for misunderstanding the initial conditions and how they relate to the cooling process.

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A thermometer is taken from a room where the temperature is [tex]23^{o}C[/tex] to the outdoors, where the temperature is [tex]-11^{o}C[/tex]. After one minute the thermometer reads [tex]14^{o}C[/tex].

A.) What will the reading on the thermometer be after 3 more minutes?

my work:
[tex]T=23^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]T_s = -11^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]23 - (-11) = 34e^{kt}[/tex] <-- initial temp right?
after 1 min...
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 14 - (-11)[/tex]
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 25[/tex]
solved for k and got -0.307484
my equation:
[tex]y(0) = 34e^{-0.307484*t} - 11[/tex]

so i just subbed in 3 for t and solved and got 2.516, but it's incorrect. anyone know where i went wrong?
 
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ProBasket said:
A thermometer is taken from a room where the temperature is [tex]23^{o}C[/tex] to the outdoors, where the temperature is [tex]-11^{o}C[/tex]. After one minute the thermometer reads [tex]14^{o}C[/tex].

A.) What will the reading on the thermometer be after 3 more minutes?

my work:
[tex]T=23^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]T_s = -11^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]23 - (-11) = 34e^{kt}[/tex] <-- initial temp right?
after 1 min...
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 14 - (-11)[/tex]
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 25[/tex]
solved for k and got -0.307484
my equation:
[tex]y(0) = 34e^{-0.307484*t} - 11[/tex]

so i just subbed in 3 for t and solved and got 2.516, but it's incorrect. anyone know where i went wrong?

Hint 1 :

The equation for Newtonian cooling is [tex]T(t) = T_s + (T_0 - T_s)e^{-kt}[/tex]

where [tex]T(t)[/tex] is the temperature of the thermometer at time t, [tex]T_s[/tex] is the temp of the surroundings, [tex]T_0[/tex] is initial temp of the thermometer and [tex]t[/tex] is time.

Your equation for the "initial conditions" makes no sense.

Hint 2 : 3 more minutes.
 
i did follow that rule, didnt i? well that was the equation that i was using to get my intial condition, unless i went wrong somewhere, which is where I am asking for help. i just double checked agian, and got the same answer as i did.

T(0) = 23
T_s = -11
right?
 
ProBasket said:
i did follow that rule, didnt i? well that was the equation that i was using to get my intial condition, unless i went wrong somewhere, which is where I am asking for help. i just double checked agian, and got the same answer as i did.

T(0) = 23
T_s = -11
right?

You used the equation wrongly. The values you are substituting for initial temp and surrounding temp are correct.

Do you need to set up one equation for the initial temp ?

Set up the correct equation for t = 1 minute. What is T(1) ?

What is the t-value at 3 more minutes ? (the italics are a big hint).
 
T(1) = 14

[tex]T(t) = T_s + (T_0 - T_s)e^{-kt}[/tex]

[tex]14 = -11 + (23- (-11))e^{-kt}[/tex]
[tex]25 = 34e^{-kt}[/tex] which is what i got

for 3 min later, i would just sub in 3 for t right? i really don't get what your trying to tell me
 
ProBasket said:
A thermometer is taken from a room where the temperature is [tex]23^{o}C[/tex] to the outdoors, where the temperature is [tex]-11^{o}C[/tex]. After one minute the thermometer reads [tex]14^{o}C[/tex].

A.) What will the reading on the thermometer be after 3 more minutes?

my work:
[tex]T=23^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]T_s = -11^{o}C[/tex]
[tex]23 - (-11) = 34e^{kt}[/tex] <-- initial temp right?
after 1 min...
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 14 - (-11)[/tex]
[tex]t(1) = 34e^{k1} = 25[/tex]
solved for k and got -0.307484
my equation:
[tex]y(0) = 34e^{-0.307484*t} - 11[/tex]

so i just subbed in 3 for t and solved and got 2.516, but it's incorrect. anyone know where i went wrong?
Mathematical model:
(dT/dt) = k*(T - Ts)
where Ts is the fixed outside temp. Solving and using Ts=(-11 degC), we get:
T(t) = A*exp(k*t) + Ts =
= A*exp(k*t) - 11

From the problem statement:
T(0) = 23 = A*exp{k*(0)} - 11 =
= A - 11
::: ⇒ A = (34)
::: ⇒ T(t) = (34)*exp(k*t) - 11

T(1) = 14 = (34)*exp{k*(1)} - 11
::: ⇒ exp{k} = (14 + 11)/34 = (0.735294)
::: ⇒ k = Loge(0.735294) = (-0.307485)
::: ⇒ T(t) = (34)*exp{(-0.307485)*t} - 11

T(1 + 3) = T(4) = (34)*exp{(-0.307485)*(4)} - 11
T(4) = (-1.0615 degC)


~~
 
Last edited:
ohhhh... 3 MORE mins... i don't know what was wrong with me...thanks for the help!
 
ProBasket said:
T(1) = 14

[tex]T(t) = T_s + (T_0 - T_s)e^{-kt}[/tex]

[tex]14 = -11 + (23- (-11))e^{-kt}[/tex]
[tex]25 = 34e^{-kt}[/tex] which is what i got

for 3 min later, i would just sub in 3 for t right? i really don't get what your trying to tell me

Well, xanthym has solved the question completely, so I guess it's moot now.

I was saying for "3 minutes later" you should use t = 4. You see why right ? Must be careful in reading the question.

And the equations in your latest post are correct. I was wondering about this equation in your 1st post :

probasket said:
[tex]23 - (-11) = 34e^{kt}[/tex]

which I can't figure out how you got.

At any rate, a much "neater" way of solving the question without computing k directly is to find the value of [tex]e^{-k}[/tex] like so :

[tex]25 = 34e^{-k}[/tex]

[tex]e^{-k} = \frac{25}{34}[/tex]

At t = 4,

[tex]T(4) = -11 + 34e^{-4k}[/tex]

[tex]T(4) = -11 + 34{(e^{-k})}^4[/tex]

[tex]T(4) = -11 + (34){(\frac{25}{34})}^4 = -11 + \frac{25^4}{34^3} = -1.06[/tex]deg C

See ? No need to use logs at all. :approve:
 
the equation from my first post are the same as the equations from my last post. if i subbed in 4 for the equation in my first post, i get the correct answer. i just typed it out differently i guess.
 
  • #10
ProBasket said:
the equation from my first post are the same as the equations from my last post. if i subbed in 4 for the equation in my first post, i get the correct answer. i just typed it out differently i guess.

Ohh, I see. You were just trying to say [tex]34 = 34e^{0}[/tex]. OK, get it now. I just thought that bit was obvious. Never mind, then you have the correct method.
 

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