Solving a 2nd Order Differential Equation with Exponential Terms

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order differential equation involving exponential terms, specifically in the context of a steady-state problem. The equation presented is \(\frac {d^2 \theta }{d x'^2 } = -y *exp(\theta)\), and participants explore the implications of this equation and its transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the transition from partial to ordinary derivatives, questioning the treatment of variables and the nature of the equation. There are attempts to manipulate the equation into a solvable form, with some exploring integration techniques and substitutions. Others express confusion over constants and the form of the solution compared to a reference book.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and suggestions on how to approach the integral and the transformations needed. There is recognition of the complexity involved in the problem, and while some guidance has been offered, multiple interpretations and approaches are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the variable \(y\) is defined as the Frank-Kamenetskii parameter, and there are discussions about boundary conditions and the implications of treating \(y\) as a constant during integration. The presence of constants and their specific forms in the reference solution is also under scrutiny.

squaremeplz
Messages
114
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



[tex]\frac { d^2 \theta }{d x'^2 } = -y *exp(\theta)[/tex] eq. 1

mayb be integrated to yield

[tex]exp(\theta) = \frac {a}{cosh^2(b \frac{+}{-} \sqrt \frac{a*y}{2} * x')}[/tex]

[tex]\theta = f(y,x')[/tex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



the exponent is throwing me off, but i probably have to use the following properties

[tex]\frac { d^2 \theta }{d x'^2 } + \sqrt{y}*exp(/theta) = 0[/tex]


[tex]g = [1/2 (e^k^x + e^-^k^x)]^2 = cosh^2(kx)[/tex]

the problem is the exp(theta), do I have to replace the variable with something like

g = ln(theta)

then find

[tex]\frac { d^2 g }{d x'^2 }[/tex]

to get

[tex]\frac { d^2 g }{d x'^2 } + \sqrt{y}*g = 0[/tex]

then apply

m^2 + k^2 = 0?

thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm confused. In the other thread you started, you have
[tex]\frac { \partial^2 \theta }{\partial x'^2 } = -y *exp(\theta)[/tex]
and in this one you have it as a 2nd-order ODE.
Since theta is a function of y and x', you really need partial derivatives, not ordinary derivatives. If theta were a function of a single variable, say x', then you could talk about d(theta)/dx' and d^2(theta)/dx'^2.

Having said that, how do you go from equation 1 to this equation? IOW, how did y in the first equation become sqrt(y) in this equation?
[tex]\frac { d^2 \theta }{d x'^2 } + \sqrt{y}*exp(\theta) = 0[/tex]
 
sorry, at first it was a partial derivative but then I realized that theta is only dependent on the spatial variable x', like you said. Since this is a steady state problem (conditions for the problem approaching a steady state are given by the rate of reaction, it reduces to a ODE

Anyway,

I found more info on how to solve the equation

[tex]x' = \int \frac{d \theta}{\sqrt{-2*\int -y*exp(\theta) d \theta}}[/tex]

then i get

[tex]x' = \int \frac {d\theta}{\sqrt{2*y*exp(\theta) + 2*y*c}}[/tex]and now I am trying to figure out the above integral.
 
Last edited:
Factor 2y out of the terms in the radical and bring them out of the radical and out of the integral so that you have exp(theta) + c in the radical. I would then see if a substitution would work.
 
ok so following ur suggestion i did

[tex]x' = \frac {1}{\sqrt{2y}} * \int \frac {d\theta}{\sqrt{\int exp(\theta)d\theta}}[/tex]

[tex]x' = \frac {1}{\sqrt{2y}} * \int \frac {d\theta}{\sqrt{ exp(\theta)+c}}[/tex]

then i use the identity for int 1/sqrt(theta^2 + a^2) that is

[tex]x' = \frac {1}{\sqrt{2y}} * ln | exp(\theta/2) + \sqrt{exp(\theta) + c} | + a[/tex]

but when i try to solve for theta, i don't know how to reduce the exp to fit the form of the solution the book gives for exp(theta)
 
Not sure if this will help, but the integral formula you used can be expressed another way.
[tex]\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{x^2 + a^2}}~=~sinh^{-1}(x/a) + C[/tex]

One thing I've been bothered by is treating y as if it were a constant in the integration with respect to theta. You have theta = f(y, x'), and in the other thread you said that y = x/x'.
 
hey mike, thanks so much for your hlep. yes that identity definitely helps.

please try to ignore the other post

y here is known as the frank-kamenetskii parameter

[tex]y = \frac {E}{RT^2_a} \frac {Q}{h} *r^2*z*exp(-E/RT_a)[/tex]

now, the r^2 in the y comes from x' = x/r

this is the substitution to drop the units of x, where r can be the half width or radius of a cylinder.

specifically, by the chain rule

[tex]\Delta x' = r^2 \Delta[/tex]

Quoting the book, In the simplest problems, the boundary condition is \theta = 0 at the surface, and the critical condition reduces to [tex]y = const = y_c_r_i_t[/tex] since neither in the equation nor in the boundary condions are there any parameters other than y.

So i think its ok to factor out y, no?
 
Last edited:
That's Mark...
You have [tex]\Delta x' = r^2 \Delta[/tex]
Don't you mean this?
[tex]\Delta x' = \Delta r^2[/tex]
Based on what you said about y, sounds like you can move it out of the integral.
 
sorry, mark :)

I still don't get the same answer as in the book

I did

[tex]x' = \frac {1}{\sqrt{2y}} * sech^-^1 (\frac {exp(\frac {\theta}{2})}{\sqrt{c}}) + a[/tex]

when I solve for [tex]exp(\theta)[/tex] i get

[tex]exp(\theta) = c* sech^2(\sqrt{2y}*x' + a)[/tex]

then

[tex]exp(\theta) = \frac {2c}{cosh^2 (\sqrt {2y}*x' + a)}[/tex]

the only problem now are the constants, the book has

[tex]exp(\theta) = \frac {a}{cosh^2 ( \sqrt {\frac {ay}{2}}*x' \frac {+}{-} b)}[/tex]

im confused why they have +/- and why it is sqrt(ay)/2
 
Last edited:
  • #11
[tex]exp(\theta) = \frac {2c}{cosh^2 (\sqrt {2y}*x' + a)}[/tex]

the only problem now are the constants, the book has

[tex]exp(\theta) = \frac {a}{cosh^2 ( \sqrt {\frac {ay}{2}}*x' \frac {+}{-} b)}[/tex]

im confused why they have +/- and why it is sqrt(ay/2)
 
  • #12
Got me, so that looks like something you'll have to puzzle out...
 
  • #13
alrighty

well, thanks again for getting me this close. great help :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K