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Article Reviewed: Introduction to Differential Equations Lecture notes for MATH

2351/2352

Copyright 20092016 by Jeffrey Robert Chasnov

Retrieved from: https://www.math.ust.hk/~machas/differential-equations.pdf on October 14,

2016.

Brief Summary

Aside from Geometric Applications, Orthogonal Trajectories, and Growth and Decay as

to Compound Interest and Temperature, one of the real life application of Differential Equation is

on Terminal Velocity. Taken from the article of Mr. Jeffrey Robert Chasnov, using Newtons law,

they model a mass free falling under gravity but with air resistance. They assume that the force

of air resistance is proportional to the speed of the mass and opposes the direction of motion.

They define the -axis to point in the upward direction, opposite the force of gravity. Near the

surface of the Earth, the force of gravity is approximately constant and is given by , with =

9.8 m/s2 the usual gravitational acceleration. The force of air resistance is modeled by , where

is the vertical velocity of the mass and is a positive constant. When the mass is falling, < 0

and the force of air resistance is positive, pointing upward and opposing the motion. The total

force on the mass is therefore given by = . With = and = /, they obtain the

differential equation

dv
dt = . (2.21)
The terminal velocity of the mass is defined as the asymptotic velocity after air

resistance balances the gravitational force. When the mass is at terminal velocity, / = 0 so

mg
that = k . (2.22)

The approach to the terminal velocity of a mass initially at rest is obtained by solving

(2.21) with initial condition (0) = 0. The equation is both linear and separable, and they solve by

separating variables:

v t
dv
mg+kv = dt ,
0 0

m dv
k ln( mg+ kv ) = ,

kv
/
1+ mg = ,

mg
/
= k (1 ).

/
Therefore, = ( 1 ) , and approaches as the exponential term decays to

zero.

As an example, a skydiver of mass = 100 kg with his parachute closed may have a

terminal velocity of 200 km/hr. With = (9.8 m/s2 )(103 km/m)(60 s/min)2(60 min/hr)2 = 127,

008 km/hr2, one obtains from (2.22), = 63, 504 kg/hr. One-half of the terminal velocity for free-
/
fall (100 km/hr) is therefore attained when (1 ) = 1/2, or = ln 2/ 4 sec.

Approximately 95% of the terminal velocity (190 km/hr ) is attained after 17 sec.

Review (Strength and Weaknesses of the Article)

Understanding terminal velocity makes us appreciate why it is better to jump out of a

plane with a parachute than without one. Terminal velocity is exploring why objects fall at

different speeds and how to calculate the maximum speed of a falling object.

Upon studying this application, I almost have to double check every information it gives.

Though, I can say that content of this is very well explained and derivation of differential

equations is highly stated with explanation. What makes me hard to understand some of the

information are the words that this article used. It also makes me hard to understand this part

v t
dv m dv
mg+kv = dt , if how it becomes k ln( mg+ kv ) = and another on this part
0 0

of the example given, where = (9.8 m/s2 )(103 km/m)(60 s/min)2(60 min/hr)2 = 127, 008

km/hr2 because if this was obtained from equation 2.22, how it was happened?

Lastly, we cant deny the relationship between science and mathematics, but sometimes

even a Mathematician itself like me having trouble in understanding some terminologies in

science connected to Mathematics. In this article for me, its strength is, it was explained clearly

with a given example. Its weakness is that, as commented by lot of students as we teach, it would

be better if there are more examples given and for each every step, there is a corresponding
explanation on how each step is obtained. Another one is, for worded problems like this, I

appreciate if one of its solution is an illustration or picture of an event. This were all of course on

my own opinion.

A Critique Paper

On Real Life Application of Differential Equation

(Terminal Velocity)

Presented to:

MS. ROWENA RIVERA


(Instructor )

Presented by:
NOVELYN L MITRA MST-1

October 15, 2016

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