Sphere particle dissolution, volume loss vs time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on deriving an equation for the volume lost during the dissolution of a spherical particle over time. Participants explore the relationship between the sphere's surface area, volume, and the dissolution rate, aiming to express volume as a function of time.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to find the volume loss equation as a function of time, starting from the dissolution rate proportional to the surface area.
  • Another participant confirms the relationship between volume and surface area, providing derivatives of volume and area with respect to time.
  • A later reply expresses the need for a clear function for volume as a function of time, indicating uncertainty in the previous responses.
  • Another participant derives a relationship showing that the rate of change of radius is constant, leading to a linear function for radius over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relationships between volume, surface area, and the dissolution rate, but there remains uncertainty about how to explicitly express volume as a function of time.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for further clarification on integrating the relationships to obtain a volume function over time and the assumptions regarding the dissolution process.

hammal
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Hi all,
it might be a silly question, but my math is "a bit" rusty.

I want to find the equation of the volume lost during the dissolution of a sphere particle as function of time:

A=area of sphere
V=volume of sphere
t=time
k=dissolution rate as volume dissolved over area time


A=(4/pi) r^2
V=(4/3)pi r^3
Volume change from dissolution Vloss=kAt

what I know is:
d_V/d_r=4 pi r^2
d_A/d_r=(8/pi) r
d_V/d_t=kA

but from here I don't know how to find V(t), so data I can plot the volume against time or integrate it to get the amount of volume lost against time.

Please any help is much appreciated.
 
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I presume that you are talking about a sphere, such as a moth ball, that is "evaporates" at a rate proportional to the surface area of the sphere. That is your dV/dt= kA.
Now, as you say, A= 4\pi r^2 and V=n (4/3)\pi r^3.
Differentiating with respect to t,
\frac{dA}{dt}= 8pi r\frac{dr}{dt} and
\frac{dV}{dt}= 4\pi r^2\frac{dr}{dt}

From the first, \frac{dr}{dt}= \frac{1}{8\pi r}\frac{dA}{dt}
so that \frac{dV}{dt}= 4\pi r^2\frac{1}{8\pi r}\frac{dA}{dt}= \frac{r}{4}\frac{dA}{dt}
 
Yes, that is exactly what I meant. Thanks for your answer, but it is not clear how to find a volume function of time:
I need something like d_V/d_t= whatever function of t

I'm not able to do it from your last part.

Cheers
 
Hi Hammel. Welcome to Physics Forums.

From HallsofIvy's response,
\frac{dV}{dt}= 4\pi r^2\frac{dr}{dt}=-k (4\pi r^2)
Canceling:
\frac{dr}{dt}=-k
or, ##r=r_0-kt##
 
Yes, got it, thanks both of you
 

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