Differential equation for concentration of gas in the atmosphere

[waaahboost]

Homework Statement

Hi everyone, I'm currently studying an online course on climate science and am a bit overwhelmed by the calculus. I have studied calculus to second year of college but that was a while ago and I'm very rusty.

A few weeks ago I was a question to find the how long it would take for the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere to reduce by a given percentage. The answer was given, though steps were missing and I can't duplicate the result.

Variables
E = emission rate [Tg/yr]
C = the concentration of gas [Tg]
τ = lifetime of gas in atmospher [yr]

Homework Equations

(eq1)dC/dt = E - C/τ, where E = 0 (ie. emissions are stopped)

the solution to this differential equation is given as;

(eq2)C = C_0 exp(-t/τ), and

(eq3)t = -τ log(C/C_0)

The Attempt at a Solution

dC/dt = - C/τ

∫ -τ/C dC = ∫ dt

-τ∫ 1/C dC = ∫ dt

-τ log(C) = ∫ dt

I can't figure out how to get eq2 from eq1. If anyone can fill me in on the intermediate steps from eq1 to eq2 to eq3, I would be very grateful.

Thanks
Chris

 

[voko]

$\int t$ is $t$ plus some constant, which we write as $- \log C_0$ for convenience. That gives you eq. 3. Transition between eq. 2 and eq. 3 is not even calculus, it involves simple algebra and the relationship between $\exp$ and $\log$.

 

[waaahboost]

Thanks voko

The main part I'm struggling to understand is the steps between eq1 and eq2. Looks like an integration on both sides, but I can't reproduce the steps to get there.

 

[voko]

From eq1, you go to eq3, like you (almost) did, then you go to eq2 as I said in #2.

 

[waaahboost]

ok, thank you

 

[HallsofIvy]

Homework Statement

Hi everyone, I'm currently studying an online course on climate science and am a bit overwhelmed by the calculus. I have studied calculus to second year of college but that was a while ago and I'm very rusty.

A few weeks ago I was a question to find the how long it would take for the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere to reduce by a given percentage. The answer was given, though steps were missing and I can't duplicate the result.

Variables
E = emission rate [Tg/yr]
C = the concentration of gas [Tg]
τ = lifetime of gas in atmospher [yr]

Homework Equations

(eq1)dC/dt = E - C/τ, where E = 0 (ie. emissions are stopped)

Okay, with E= 0, this is dC/dt= -C/\tau and, separating,
dC/C= -dt/\tau. Integrate both sides to get
ln(C)= -t/\tau+ K where K is the constant of integration.

Taking the exponential of both sides, e^{ln(C)}= C= e^{-t/\tau+ K}= e^Ke^{-t/tau}. Let C_0= e^K and you have the solution below.

the solution to this differential equation is given as;

(eq2)C = C_0 exp(-t/τ), and

(eq3)t = -τ log(C/C_0)

The Attempt at a Solution

dC/dt = - C/τ

∫ -τ/C dC = ∫ dt

-τ∫ 1/C dC = ∫ dt

-τ log(C) = ∫ dt

I can't figure out how to get eq2 from eq1. If anyone can fill me in on the intermediate steps from eq1 to eq2 to eq3, I would be very grateful.

Thanks
Chris