Urgent: Finding time of death (without using calculus)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the time of death of a corpse using two provided equations related to temperature changes. The subject area includes thermodynamics and criminology, specifically the application of these equations in forensic science.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to apply the equations without using calculus, questioning whether they can simply solve for delta t. Some participants ask for clarification on the variables involved, indicating a need for a deeper understanding of the context and definitions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the problem's requirements and the meanings of the variables in the equations. There is no explicit consensus yet, as participants are exploring the definitions and implications of the equations rather than arriving at a solution.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that the teacher has specified not to use calculus, which adds a constraint to the problem-solving approach. There is also uncertainty regarding what exactly is being solved for in the context of estimating time of death.

an_mui
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Hey
I need help from this as soon as possible.
My teacher has given me 2 equations and I need to use them to estimate the time of death of a discovered corpse.
1.[tex]\frac {\Delta T_{1}}{\Delta t} = -k_{1}(T_{1} - T_{2})[/tex]
2.[tex]\frac {\Delta T_{2}}{\Delta t} = -k_{2}(T_{2} - T_{1})[/tex]
I think since the air temperature remains relatively constant, only equation 1 is needed.
My problems: do i simply solve for delta t? Note: the k value does not matter in this case because we only need to know the physics behind these equations, and are not actually solving a question
 
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Please post the complete problem statement.
 
there is no actual problem because my teacher only wants us to explain how the above equations can be used in criminological applications to estimate the time of death of a discovered corpse. But I really don't know what we are solving for in this case. I tried researching on the internet but all the equations given uses calculus. My teacher wants us to use these equations, not differential calculus.
 
perhaps you can tell use what these quantities are: T1 and T2 and k1 and k2...withot meaning to these variables we can not help you at all...you mention temperature...but which is temperature

TO give you a start on answering your question...anything over dt usually means a change in quantity over time ...for example one can say

dC/dt is a change in concentration over time.
 
T1 is the temperature of substance 1 (i think that should be the temperature of the corpse), T2 should be the temperature of the air. k1 and k2 are constants which depend on the heat absoprtion propertiies of the substances.
 

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