A spherical raindrops evaporates at rate proportional to surface area?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical modeling of the evaporation of spherical raindrops, specifically focusing on deriving the volume function V(t) based on the rate of evaporation proportional to the surface area. Participants explore differential equations related to this problem, including the relationship between volume and surface area for spherical shapes.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to find V(t) and begins with the differential equation V' = kA, where A is the surface area of a sphere.
  • Another participant notes the challenge of expressing the surface area in terms of volume alone, given the formulas for the surface area and volume of a sphere.
  • There is a mention of using the chain rule and substituting variables to relate volume and radius, leading to an equation involving r' and k.
  • One participant suggests that the answer to the problem is V' = kV^(2/3) but expresses uncertainty about how to transform the area into a function of volume alone.
  • Another participant provides the relationship r = (3V/4π)^(1/3) and suggests substituting this into the surface area formula A = 4πr^2.
  • There is a discussion about solving the ordinary differential equation (ODE) V' = CV^(2/3) by separating variables and integrating.
  • One participant questions how the equation V' = CV^(2/3) is derived, indicating a need for clarification on this transformation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the derivation of the equation V' = CV^(2/3) and express varying levels of understanding and uncertainty regarding the transformations involved in the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions about the relationships between volume, surface area, and the rates of change involved in the evaporation process.

kochibacha
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i want to find V(t)
At first i found this problem was very simple but when i try to write differential equations i ended up with these

V' = kA that's for sure

then i confined the problem only to spherical shape and no other shapes of raindrops involved

as i can't express A in term of V alone( surface area of sphere = 4∏r2, volume of sphere is 4/3∏r3 ) then i have to

use chain rule, dV/dt= dVdrdrdt substitute dV/dt from

V'=k4∏r2

i get

4∏r2r'= K4∏r2

r'=k

r = kt+c
r3 = (kt+c)3
4∏r3/3 = (kt+c)34∏/r=V(t)
im i correct? the answer to this problem is V'=kV2/3 I am not sure how they transform Area to variable V alone
 
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kochibacha said:
At first i found this problem was very simple but when i try to write differential equations i ended up with these

V' = kA that's for sure

then i confined the problem only to spherical shape and no other shapes of raindrops involved

as i can't express A in term of V alone( surface area of sphere = 4∏r2, volume of sphere is 4/3∏r3 ) then i have to

use chain rule, dV/dt= dVdrdrdt substitute dV/dt from

V'=k4∏r2

i get

4∏r2r'= K4∏r2

r'=k

im i correct? the answer to this problem is v'=kV2/3 I am not sure how they transform Area to variable V alone

<br /> \left(\frac{3V}{4\pi}\right)^{1/3} = r.<br /> Now substitute this into A = 4\pi r^2.
 
pasmith said:
<br /> \left(\frac{3V}{4\pi}\right)^{1/3} = r.<br /> Now substitute this into A = 4\pi r^2.

then how can u solve for V(t) ?
 
kochibacha said:
then how can u solve for V(t) ?

The ODE <br /> V&#039; = CV^{2/3}<br /> for constant C is separable. Divide both sides by V^{2/3} and then integrate with respect to t.
 
pasmith said:
The ODE <br /> V&#039; = CV^{2/3}<br /> for constant C is separable. Divide both sides by V^{2/3} and then integrate with respect to t.

i mean how they derive for v'=cv^2/3
 

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